Arizona News – The Coconino National Forest is now accepting applicants for next April’s Women in Wildland Fire training camp.
Women in Wildland Fire camp participants will gain a greater understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of wildland firefighting in a supportive and educational environment.
Upon completion of the program, participants will receive the beginning qualifications needed to start a career in wildfire, whether it be as a firefighter or a supporting role.
The program consists of a combination of online and field training. During online training modules, participants will learn about topics such as wildland fire behavior, firefighting strategy and safety, and the wildland fire job application process.
Participants will also get a chance to spend a portion of the training in the field, following guidelines set by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group to explore wildland firefighting in a hands-on way.
“We did a lot of digging, they showed us how to deploy shelters, little things on the trucks like hose lays… it was really helpful to have that knowledge,” said program graduate Jessica Westrup. “It was pretty awesome being able to talk to girls who were dealing with the same thing.”
Westrup, a full-time student studying forestry at Northern Arizona University, graduated from the Coconino National Forest’s Women in Wildfire training camp in 2024. Westrup spent this past summer working on an engine based on the Coconino and plans to do the same next summer as well.
Westrup recommends the program to other women who are looking to start a career in wildland fire.
“We recognize that there are barriers to women looking to pursue a career in wildland firefighting, and we’ve been working to break down those barriers,” said Forest Training Officer Bill Kuche. “Hosting this annual training program is one way we’re able to accomplish that.”
Training camp participants must complete their online work prior to the field days, which will occur on the Coconino National Forest in April 2025.
Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2025, or until the class is full.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 37 years of age, though exceptions will be considered. Applicants must also be in good mental and physical condition.
Those interested in applying can do so via the Wildland Learning Portal where they will need to create an account and search for R3 FAM Coconino WIWF under the Find Learning, Courses tab to apply.
For more information about program enrollment, Kuche can be contacted at william.kuche@usda.gov.