Part-time forestry firefighters are finishing up their training for this season in eastern Kentucky, and officials say new recruits make a big difference. We followed some of their training in the Kentucky River district Monday.

A self-contained fire shelter could be a lifesaver for trainees.

Forest ranger Robbie Morgan says, "This would be very difficult to do in a high wind situation, and a lot of fires are wind-driven."

Add to that stress and rough terrain, and it's tough to hold on. Foresters remember a time when the wind blew off a shelter's aluminum layer, the only thing deflecting intense heat away from the firefighter inside.

"He said it was like somebody opening an oven door," says Morgan.

Foresters say more men and women have stepped in to help fight forest fires in recent years. They think awareness campaigns have helped increase interest. First-time trainees we talked to say they're here to protect their own neighborhoods, and families.

New trainee Christopher Breeding says, "I live back in a hollow that catches on fire a few times, and my family has lost out, and I figured I could try to help out a little bit."

"My father's lost his home due to fire, a forest fire. I just want to help people," adds fellow trainee Shawn Worrix.

The attitude is also helping veteran firefighters who often work 12 hour shifts or longer when fire season picks up.

Morgan says, "Having the new crews we're getting into the routine of having extra help, so I think we're going to be in better shape."

Trainees are encouraged to take an extra day of field training to prepare for the real thing.

Kentucky River district officials hired 49 seasonal firefighters.
The Eastern district has 90 and expects to hire more, and the Southeastern district hopes to hire around 100.