COLORADO—It’s rare if many weeks go by that a Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is not mobilized to support and assist with prescribed fire preparation, implementation and response on a national forest or grassland. In early February, Blackwell Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, as part of a module composed of fire resources from the Boise, Gifford Pinchot and Chequamegon-Nicolet national forests and the Billings Bureau of Land Management, traveled to the National Forests of Alabama to support its efforts to put fire on the ground to reduce flammable fuel loads and create a healthier ecosystem.

The combined module met at Blackwell’s campus in Laona, Wisconsin, to prepare its vehicles, engine and dozer/transport for travel. It was also an opportunity to become better acquainted and bond as a cohesive team.

Beginning Feb. 8, the crew conducted prescribed burns on Tuskegee National Forest before traveling to the Bankhead, back to the Tuskegee and on to Conecuh National Forest and Escambia Experimental Forest. They conducted prescribed fire preparations, burns and responded so small wildfires. In total, the Blackwell module prepared roughly 5,000 acres for prescribed fire, implemented 3,900 acres of prescribed fire and responded to 1,500 acres of wildfire.

The combined module’s success benefited from its highly qualified overhead and previous working relationships among its members. Blackwell Job Corps, like other centers, is logistically independent and used partnerships to set up unique module configurations. This creativity allows it to accomplish work on the ground and provide significant training and leadership opportunities. Crew members have the opportunity to train as a crew; as firing, engine and heavy equipment bosses; dozer operators and dozer operators initial attack.

The center is proud of its contributions to help create healthier national forests and grasslands. After a brief period of R&R, the Blackwell fire team headed out to the Mark Twain National Forest to prove their mettle. Blackwell ‘s hardworking and dedicated fire students and staff are indicative of why the assistance of Job Corps centers is sought after and why they are no longer the agency’s best kept secret.

Blackwell Job Corps Center has the capacity to serve 127 students at any one time. The efforts of the 24 Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers directly support the Forest Service’s mission and work. If your region is interested in hosting a Job Corps fuels module, e-mail National Job Corps Fire Program Coordinator CorDell Taylor at cordell.taylor@usda.gov.