SALT LAKE CITY — Fire crews across the country are bracing for what could be an intense wildfire season, and in Utah, two dozen firefighters spent the day in the hills sharpening the skills they’ll rely on when flames hit hard and fast.
Hands-on wildland engine training
The group, all second to fourth‑year firefighters, took part in a week‑long, multi‑agency training focused on the operation of wildland fire engines. In the rugged terrain above Camp Williams, the lessons are hands‑on, high‑pressure and intentionally unpredictable.
Simulating fire tactics and pressure
Red streamers whip in the wind, standing in for flames, as crews practice engine tactics on steep, dusty slopes. The goal: understand the equipment, execute under pressure and learn to adapt when conditions shift.
Analyzing decision making during drills
Engine Captain Rebekah Green, Desert Rivers District, Unit 12 for the U.S. Air Force, led one of the rotations, and her debriefs are as direct as the work itself.
“Being able to practice our tactics in real time without the threat of live fire is the best training we can give firefighters,” Green told the group as they gathered around the engine.
She pushed the crews to analyze every move.
“Why do you think this head fire came back to bite you?” she asked during one review, urging firefighters to think through the chain of decisions that led to the simulated flare‑up.
Managing heavy vehicle mechanical failures
The next station looked less dramatic but can be just as dangerous: vehicle failure.
Lead instructor John Clay, who has spent 20 years fighting fires, walks crews through a scenario involving a blown tire, a problem that can quickly escalate on a wildfire line.
“That can take a while — anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour,” Clay explained. “You’re dealing with a truck that’s in excess of 33,000 pounds, up to 39,000 pounds.”
With engines the size of semis, even routine mechanical issues become high‑risk operations.
Mimicking unpredictable wildfire behavior
As the day continued, the firefighters hiked to their next location, unaware of what scenario awaited them at the top of the hill. The unknowns are intentional — a way to mimic the unpredictability of real wildfire behavior.
Evaluating performance and safety goals
Each exercise ended with another round of discussion, where crews measured strengths, weaknesses and the decisions that could save lives when the flames are real.
Trucks rumbled away at the end of the day, engines echoed through the hills as the crews prepare for what’s next.
This week’s training included 24 firefighters from multiple agencies. Instructors said Friday's drills will be more complex versions of what the students tackled on Thursday — higher pressure, tougher terrain and more variables.
The goal is simple: when these crews leave a fire scene, the flames are out and everyone goes home safe.
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