01:34 PM MDT on Friday, June 9, 2006

IDAHO CITY -- As the fire season approaches some rookie wildland firefighters are getting some hands on training.

Bill Krumm-KTVB

Ninety firefighters-in-training took part in a real life drill Thursday near Idaho City.

They took that training north of Idaho City Thursday for a "live fire" session.

It's a chance to work under near real life conditions.

It's only practice, but it gives these rookies a taste of what it's like to do the real thing.

The heat, smoke and the adrenaline rush that comes with fighting a real fire.

“Getting used to dealing with inhaling smoke, you know and dealing with the fire line right there and not being able to see sometimes, and taking direction under pressure, and having to deal with quickly moving along the fire line and remembering what you're doing,” said Jessica Gardetto, BLM spokesperson.

Ninety men and women have been in the classroom all week training to become wildland firefighters, and Thursday they get to put their textbooks down and pick up their shovels.

Fire bosses teach them the ropes, showing them everything from how to properly dig a fire line, to making sure they use their heads.

But when they're done they'll be ready for the real thing.

“It's my first year doing this, good experience so far, it's pretty fun. I’m liking it,” said Mark Moreno, firefighter in training.

“So, you are looking forward to your first real fire? asked NewsChannel 7.

“Yeah, definitely, pretty sure our crew, I’m on crew 3 up here in Idaho City, think our crew boss said we're the first sent out, should be pretty sweet, hoping to be sent out pretty quick,” said Moreno.

Those firefighters have one more day of training and will have to take a test before they can become certified.