Waldo Canyon Researchers: New Firefighting Approach Needed

<p>(Courtesy&nbsp;USAF Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">Flickr</a>)</p>
<p class="normal">U.S. Forest Service firefighters drive to the front line in Waldo Canyon on the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 2012.</p>

A study of the 2012 Waldo Canyon wildfire recommends that crews fighting similar fires that spread into urban areas be trained in both structure protection and traditional wildland firefighting tactics.

The Gazette reported Tuesday that the study found dual-trained fire crews saved dozens of homes in the ember storms that descended on Colorado Springs neighborhoods. U.S. Forest Service firefighters were trained to protect structures, and city firefighters were trained to extinguish grassfires.