According to the USA's National Interagency Fire Center, more than 8.7 million acres burned in 2011. This is third most in 50+ years. And the two worse years occurred recently - over 9 million acres burned in both 2006 and 2007.
So how many acres will burn due to wildfires in 2012? And how will firefighters prepare?
We don't know how many acres will burn this year, but we certainly know a wildfire season is coming.
So preparation is important, especially in wildland firefighting. It includes continuing education, skills training and acquisition of wildland firefighting equipment.
Continuing education should occur in the classroom and in the field. Principles learned formally should also be tested in real-life scenarios. Skills training bring firefighters both the physical and mental instincts to make increasingly better decisions.
And strategic acquisition of wildland firefighting equipment is part of how firefighters prepare to do their job safely. We know a wildfire season is coming. Start preparing now!
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