Smoke may be simulated, but the experience is designed to feel real.
High school students in Reno and Zephyr Cove are set to join wildland firefighters this week for a “Mock Fire” training that walks them through how crews respond when a wildfire breaks out.
The hands-on exercise is part of the Fire Science Career and Technical Education Program.
The training will take place in the hills near the back of Hidden Valley. Organizers say crews and engines will be dispatched as if responding to an actual wildfire, with students working alongside firefighters to attack different flanks of the simulated fire.
Students will cut fire line, deploy hose packs from engines, take part in incident command, and assist with fire investigation. The training also includes fire equipment such as engines and hand tools, along with opportunities to speak with fire personnel and students.
The event brings together multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management Nevada, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, U.S. Forest Service, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry, and Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. Students from the Academy of Arts Career and Technology High School and Whittell High School will participate.
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in wildland firefighting through classroom instruction, hands-on training, and real-world scenarios. It was developed through a partnership with local fire agencies and the University of Nevada, Reno.
“This program plays an important role in protecting Nevada communities and public lands by helping develop tomorrow’s firefighters,” said Brock Uhlig, U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “As the threat of wildfire continues to grow, so does the need for skilled wildland firefighters. Experiences like this show students how their skills can translate into careers protecting their communities.”
“This training gives students a rare and valuable opportunity to experience what it’s like to respond to a wildfire alongside firefighters in the field,” said Jennifer Diamond, U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “By building real-world skills and confidence, we’re helping prepare the next generation of firefighters to step into these roles and protect their communities.”
Organizers say the training is a key part of the spring semester. Students graduating this spring will be eligible for federal wildland fire crew positions once they turn 18.
