The Oregonian: Firefighters practice for upcoming wildfire season in Molalla

MOLALLA, Ore. -- Rain usually means a day off for firefighters; however, on a rainy Friday afternoon in Molalla, 55 firefighters from 19 departments gathered to practice skills they will need to fight wildfires this summer - rain or shine. Despite soggy conditions, they were still able to set their practice materials ablaze.

The program is the last school of its kind in Oregon, making it the only opportunity for area firefighters to check certain techniques off in their task book, like directing helicopter water drops, before becoming certified to perform them during major campaign fires. The school is tuition-free thanks to a grant from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

According to Lieutenant Damon Simmons, public information Ooficer for Portland Fire and Rescue and Oregon State Fire Marshalls Type 2 Incident Management Team, out of the 35 students there were, "people from the basic firefighter level on up to people who are going to be managing teams of firefighters," like division supervisors and engine bosses.

"Grasses that we normally see that are ankle- high are knee-high this year, and they've already dried out,"
said Jeff Wheeler, a firefighter who traveled from Camp Umatilla in eastern Oregon to attend the training. "And then grasses that are normally waist-high are head-high." He said that heavy winter rain has increased the "fuel load," though that doesn't guarantee a busy season.