Observe Wildland Firefighter Training in Rocky Mountain National Park

When: Cancelled due to four inches snowfall.
Wednesday, May 12, 9:45 a.m.

Where: Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park - then depart to other park locations

What: On May 12, media will have an opportunity to observe the second annual Firefighter Challenge in Rocky Mountain National Park. The challenge consists of a 5 Mile Run, Water Handling (pump assembly and hose deployment), Chainsaw Assembly (assemble and fire a chainsaw that is in disrepair), Oral Quiz, and a 4 Mile Hike (full fire line pack hike). The entire challenge encompasses 14.9 miles.

Who: There are expected to be ten teams of four. These teams will be comprised of the Alpine Hot Shots (a national resource based in the park), Module 32 (a regional fire and fuels resource based in the park), and Squad 33 (the park’s hazard tree crew).

The purpose of the training is to test the mental and physical endurance of team members. Being fit, knowledgeable, and skilled are critical components of any successful wildland fire program. Throughout the event and this season, our wildland fire staff will be faced with challenges that will require clear thinking, decisive action, professionalism and a high fitness level.

This is a demonstration, in a single day multi-phase event, of the mental and physical rigors wildland firefighters face. This is not a competition, but rather a challenge testing the standards of the job in a high stress/time compressed arena.

Please contact Kyle Patterson, Public Information Officer at Kyle_Patterson@nps.gov for more information.