City fire holds control burn

City fire holds control burn

MACCLENNY, FL - Training is probably one of most important responsibilities in a fire department. Hand-on training with "real flames" give firefighters a unique way to maintain and improve their skills in a controlled way. Hence the name, control burn.

City of Macclenny firefighters gathered for a practice burn at Minnesota and Third Street in Macclenny Thursday evening to hone techniques learned in a classroom with realistic training. "The real goal is practicing and the best was to improve is to practice," said one firefighter.

With street cordoned off by cones, the control burn grew and soon flames and black smoke towered over the tall pine trees around the house. Many passerby responded as if the practice burn was entertainment. A steady stream of cars drove by the blocked-off area craning for a good look at the fire.