DFPA Live-Fire Training May Bring Visible Smoke To Parts Of Douglas County This Week

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Residents in parts of Douglas County may see smoke this week as the Douglas Forest Protective Association carries out planned live-fire training exercises.

The training is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, June 26, at prepared sites in the 4000 block of North Bank Road in Roseburg and the 4000 block of Gazley Road in Myrtle Creek. Smoke may be visible in those areas between about 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A separate training exercise is also planned for Friday, June 26, near the 20000 block of OR-138 in Elkton. Smoke may also be visible there during the same late-morning to early-afternoon window.

DFPA said the burns are part of ongoing firefighter training and will take place in areas that have been prepared ahead of time. Control lines have been built around each training site to help keep the fire contained while crews practice in a controlled setting.

The exercises give firefighters hands-on experience with wildland fire response, including fire suppression tactics, hose operations and coordination during an incident. DFPA’s newly onboarded camera detection staff and dispatch operators will also use the training to practice spotting, reporting and communicating about wildfire activity in a realistic environment.

The agency said the live-fire exercises will be conducted under the supervision of experienced instructors.

DFPA is reminding the public that the smoke is expected and tied to scheduled training. The agency said the work is an important part of preparing firefighters and support staff for wildfire season across the Douglas District.