Fighting wildfires in Oregon comes with a high risk and a high cost.
The State of Oregon spends millions of dollars on wildfire suppression every year. That is why the Oregon Department of Forestry trains new wildland fire investigators every year.
On Thursday, trainees from all over the state gathered for a week-long training in Roseburg.
Jessica Duarte with the Douglas Forest Protective Association started fighting wildfires when she was 16. Twelve years later, that summer job has turned into her career. "Once it kind of gets in your blood, you enjoy it," Duarte said. "It's a rewarding job."
After a week in the classroom, Duarte and other trainees practiced canvassing the practice burn site, searching for clues like burn patterns and physical evidence.