The 14th Annual Central Texas Wildfire Academy got under way Tuesday, February 11 and will run through February 15th at Camp Bowie in Brownwood, offering hands-on training to emergency responders which may include large prescribed burns each day of the academy.

Approximately 30-40 emergency responders, both paid and volunteer departments, attending the academy will hone their wildland firefighting skills through customized courses to meet the needs of the fire departments of the region, according to officials at the Texas Forest Service.  Courses include safety and fire operations courses in the wildland urban interface.

“The courses offered at this year’s Central Texas Wildfire Academy are nationally recognized courses that will assist firefighters who are interested in learning wildfire operations to better protect and serve their communities.” said Texas A&M Forest Service Wildland Urban Interface Specialist Matthew Lanier.  “This academy is a great training opportunity for firefighters with diverse backgrounds and experiences to come together and grow their knowledge about wildfire operations.”

Fires seen on Camp Bowie property are planned and well staffed, the public is asked not to call 911 to report these fires.  According to Dam Fire Department member Chris Weber, the prescribed burns will be approximately 1200-1500 acres in total and will be controlled by 25-30 fire engines.  These large fires are for training purposes and will not pose a danger to private properties adjacent to Camp Bowie.  One of the fires may burn near County Road 267 along the camp’s perimeter, according to Weber.  These burns are invaluable for training but also provide management of the native grasses and vegetation at Camp Bowie, according to organizers.

The Central Texas Wildfire Academy is sponsored by the Dam Volunteer Fire Department and Texas A&M Forest Service.

Pictured above is a prescribed burn during a past wildfire academy at Camp Bowie.