The U.S Forest Service is set to conduct annual recertification training in Mid April in the Deschutes National Forest west of Bend, Oregon next week starting on April 17th.
The annual training event will involve up to five helicopters providing an aerial platform for repelling training to take place throughout the week long event.
The annual event will provide annual recertifications for 45 spotters and 120 veteran rappellers trained to respond to remote areas to fight fires after being inserted by helicopter.
During the 2023 wildfire season, rappel crews responded to 455 initial attack wildfire incidents across the United States and Canada, with 98 operational rappel actions taking place in Oregon and Washington, according to information from a KTVZ.com story on the event.
