Training the Mind, Ahead of Fire Season

California Conservation Corps fire crews are preparing for another demanding wildfire season. As temperatures heat up, they are training their minds to stay cool.

Before CCC’s young adults ever step onto an active fire line, Corpsmembers complete CAL FIRE’s Wildland Firefighting 1C course to find their footing. Crews monitor the weather, study the terrain, and run through safety scenarios. Afterward, fire captains incorporate these fundamentals into everyday training, so Corpsmembers stay ready for anything.

“It’s not just grabbing a hand tool and swinging it for fun. You got to know what you’re doing and understand why,” said Pomona Corpsmember Donovan Burkhard. “If fire is on the uphill side, we want to build a trench to prevent the rolling burning material from igniting the field below.”

Alongside situational awareness, Corpsmembers must also build their physical stamina and learn to work as a team, stay calm under pressure, and maintain grit in demanding environments.  

This learning curve for Corpsmembers can be steep, since no experience is needed to join a crew. Prior to the CCC, many young adults in the program worked in fast food and retail. Los Padres Corpsmember Yasmin Barrera-Rodriguez worked at a spa resort before transforming into a CCC wildland firefighter.   

“Your voices in your head are definitely going to say ‘you can’t’ but everyone else is saying you can. Why only listen to one person? You are your own biggest enemy.” said Yasmin. “A lot of my challenges were definitely mental. A key thing that helped me with that was breathing – like the box method, which is four seconds in and then exhale four seconds.”

This preparation becomes critical once fire crews begin responding to incidents. In 2025, CCC fire crews were dispatched to 355 incidents statewide, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles County. CCC fire crews totaled 415,930 emergency response hours.  

For returning Corpsmember Jacob Corral, last season on the Los Padres Center’s Toro fire crew provided a real taste of what long days in steep terrain could feel like. Now entering his second year, the nerves are still there but it’s starting to feel more familiar.   

“If you’ve ever played on a travel sports team, it’s kind of like that. But instead of a game, you’re showing up for an emergency,” said Jacob. “You have those anxious, nervous, maybe scared feelings. But when you go on that rig riding together, everyone’s in that same mindset: I’m going do my part.” 

As wildfire season intensifies, California’s need for resilient firefighters grows. CCC’s wildland firefighting program opens the door for a new generation of professionals to train, gain experience, and discover their potential. For young adults interested in the fire service, Pomona Corpsmember Alicia Paredes encourages them to join.  

“I would say, try it for yourself. Don’t minimize what you can bring to the table,” said Alicia. “If you’re slow or you’re not as strong in the beginning, it doesn’t matter as long as you keep doing it one step at a time.” 

With up to three seasons of experience under their belts, young adults in the CCC quickly gain the confidence and momentum needed to enter the professional fire service.  

“When I joined CCC, my goal was to be on a solid team. I made it,” said Pomona Corpsmember Vanessa Ramirez. Now she’s thinking about the next step in her career, saying “my biggest dream is to be with the feds on a hotshot crew.” 

In the past eight years, more than 1,000 individuals have also moved from the CCC into wildland firefighting positions with CAL FIRE. Learn how adults 18-25, and veterans up to age 29 can also get in the mindset to make a difference by visiting our website at ccc.ca.gov/fire.