The threat of wildfires is a big concern with summer just a few days away.
Saturday marked day one of the Eastern Washington Fire Training Academy at Deer Park High School. The academy is a "one stop shop" for multiple agencies to come together for wildland fire training.
More than 500 firefighters will come to Deer Park High School this week, eager to improve their fire fighting skills.
"Today is the first day of our 2016 inner agency wild land fire training academy," said Guy Gifford with the Department of Natural Resources. "This is where we're training wildland firefighters how better to do their job."
Firefighters from the DNR and fire districts throughout Eastern Washington will take classes, participate in drills and simulations, and practice working together within the different agencies.
"Some of the skills are basically fire," Gifford explained. "How do fires burn, how does fires get big."
Many of theses firefighters are volunteers.
"[I joined] long term as to get experience to be a full time firefighter," said Derrick Bender, a volunteer with Spokane County Fire District 4. "But more importantly, to give back to the community I grew up in."
Bender was in the action last year during one of the worst fire seasons in Washington State history.
"Last year was a very busy fire season," Bender said. "I spent two weeks on the Carpenter Road Fire out in Springdale, Hunters, Fruitland area."