Wildfire Training Academy Set At WVU In June

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- About 125 people have registered to participate in the Mid-Atlantic Wildfire Training Academy at West Virginia University.

The academy is set for June 2 through June 8. It features nine classes vital to fighting wildfires, including fire behavior,
equipment use and leadership development.

Most participants are from state and federal agencies that are members of the seven-state Mid-Atlantic Forest Fire Compact, although organizers say some are coming from as far away as Oregon.

The compact includes West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio and Delaware. Together, these states are responsible for protecting more than 35 million acres of woodland.

Fire officials say the warm, dry winter and spring have resulted in more wildfires than usual across the Eastern United States.

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