Firefighters Warming Up For Wildfire Season

EVERGREEN, Colo. (CBS4) - Wildfire season is starting to heat up in Colorado, and firefighters are making sure they're ready to go at any moment.

At first glance, seeing firefighters grab a hose in a dry area would worry anyone -- except for homeowner Fred Schubert.

"When the fire chief called and asked, 'Do you mind if we use your property for an exercise?' It was a resounding, 'Yes," said Schubert. "There's no one that lives in this neck of the woods that doesn't worry every day about wildfires."

About 80 firefighters from 12 agencies around the Denver metro area practiced mock wildfire scenarios in Evergreen Sunday. They're preparing themselves for a dangerous season ahead.

"For us, Blue Bell was another wake-up call last year of what we're facing again this year," said Evergreen Fire training officer Doug Saba.

According to Saba, wildfire season intensifies in April, but firefighters are always ready year-round.

"We can't prevent those forest fires. They are going to happen," Saba said. "It's just a matter of how we control them and how our deployment is, and that's what the intent of this training is. It is to get everyone on the same page so we work together well."

Schubert says he mitigates his property to prevent wildfires from spreading to his home, but he knows he can't fight them alone.

"We rely on folks like this to save our home, so they're welcome anytime," said Schubert.