Firefighter training next week

COEUR d'ALENE - Multiple firefighting agencies will descend on Camp Lutherhaven next week to train new firefighters for the upcoming fire season.

The North Idaho Wildfire Training Zone is hosting its annual wildfire training "Guard School" on June 1-5 at Camp Lutherhaven, located on Lake Coeur d'Alene at Mica Bay.

The event is the cooperative effort of the Coeur d'Alene and Nez Perce Tribes, Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

Guard School is required training to teach and educate new wildland firefighters, providing real world skills required for suppressing fire in our nation's forests and grasslands.

During the weeklong training, new firefighters learn the basics of fire behavior and fire suppression techniques in a simulated learning environment. Guard School is designed to mimic a real fire camp where students experience camp chow, sleeping outdoors, crew cohesion and suppressing an actual fire.

On June 4, at 1:30 p.m., experienced firefighters will simulate wildfires on a parcel of Lutherhaven land northwest of Camp Lutherhaven facilities. Students will work in teams to locate and extinguish the fire.