ODF Invites Media To Live Fire Exercise At Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School
- 06/18/26
What: The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) invites media to a live fire exercise on Friday, June 26. This exercise is the final part of the Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School in Sweet Home
When: Friday, June 26, 2026. Check in for media will be 7:45 a.m. at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St. Event concludes at 1 p.m.Details: Media will have the opportunity to interview firefighters in training, fire school organizers and trainers; learn more about what it takes to fight wildfire in Oregon; and capture photos and video of firefighting operations.
You must RSVP to Al De Vos at al.devos@odf.oregon.gov by June 24 to attend this event.
Media will be required to wear personal protective gear (PPE), specifically Nomex pants, long sleeve Nomex shirt, gloves, hard hat, eye protection, and leather boots with Vibram soles. Media are encouraged to bring their own PPE if possible. If you need to borrow any of the PPE listed above (excluding boots) include that information in your RSVP for the event.
Background: Approximately 200 wildland firefighters and instructors will convene in Sweet Home, beginning on June 22, to take part in the annual five-day Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School. Officials from Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) host the yearly training to prepare new firefighters for the rigors of fighting fire, both in Oregon's forests and in wildland-urban interface areas.
The training culminates with a live fire exercise that gives trainees the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills and techniques to suppress and mop-up a real fire under controlled conditions.
ODF Invites Media To Live Fire Exercise At Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School
- 06/18/26
What: The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) invites media to a live fire exercise on Friday, June 26. This exercise is the final part of the Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School in Sweet Home
When: Friday, June 26, 2026. Check in for media will be 7:45 a.m. at Sweet Home High School, 1641 Long St. Event concludes at 1 p.m.Details: Media will have the opportunity to interview firefighters in training, fire school organizers and trainers; learn more about what it takes to fight wildfire in Oregon; and capture photos and video of firefighting operations.
You must RSVP to Al De Vos at al.devos@odf.oregon.gov by June 24 to attend this event.
Media will be required to wear personal protective gear (PPE), specifically Nomex pants, long sleeve Nomex shirt, gloves, hard hat, eye protection, and leather boots with Vibram soles. Media are encouraged to bring their own PPE if possible. If you need to borrow any of the PPE listed above (excluding boots) include that information in your RSVP for the event.
Background: Approximately 200 wildland firefighters and instructors will convene in Sweet Home, beginning on June 22, to take part in the annual five-day Mid-Willamette Valley Interagency Wildland Fire School. Officials from Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) host the yearly training to prepare new firefighters for the rigors of fighting fire, both in Oregon's forests and in wildland-urban interface areas.
The training culminates with a live fire exercise that gives trainees the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills and techniques to suppress and mop-up a real fire under controlled conditions.
