Forestry Conservation student sawyer, Carrie Oszterling, bucks a fallen tree (left). Nantahala NF Cheoah RD Forestry Technician, Jeremy Waite (red helmet), helps teach Forestry Conservation students proper trench construction techniques as they learn first hand how to prepare for a prescribed fire (right).

Bryson City, NC – Deep in the Nantahala Gorge, Forestry Conservation students from the Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC partnered with local Forest Service fire staff to put in miles of hand dug fire line through the forest. Tackling steep slopes of over 60 percent, students used specialized wildland fire hand tools such as the Pulaski and McCloud to construct the line down to bare mineral soil in eight inch deep trenches. With many years of wildland fire experience, Cheoah Ranger District Assistant Fire Management Officer, Randall Sellers, knows how important this task is. “Establishing a good fire line is essential to having a burn go as we want. Difficult terrain and fuel types force a wildland fire fighter to adapt his or her approach as they go” said Sellers.

For students, the experience provides an excellent hands-on training in some of the day to day field work done in the Forest Service. As part of Oconaluftee’s Forestry program, all students have a goal to complete 360 work-based learning hours using the skills and certifications they have earned. Many are also put in challenging leadership positions that mirror real world situations. “In this project I’m a squad boss over three other students so I have to work the line, motivate others, and watch out for safety hazards all at the same time. I’ve never had this kind of responsibility before and I’m learning it can be tough but great- this stuff is important” said Forestry student Jake Brock.

In addition to student training, collaborative work planning like this is a benefit to everyone involved with the process. Oconaluftee’s Liaison Specialist, Holly Krake, is a strong supporter of these types of projects. “I just love it when this happens because everybody wins. Students learn first hand, the Ranger District receives assistance, and the public interfaces become more protected and fire-wise” she said. In total, over 300 man-hours were spent building this one section of line in preparations for a successful prescribed fire.    

The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center is associated with the National Forests of North Carolina. It is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and currently serves 104 students.  The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.  The Agency manages over 200 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about the Oconaluftee JCCCC, visit oconaluftee.jobcorps.gov or jobcorpsnews.org/Oconaluftee

Forestry Conservation students dig into tough root bundles to construct the 8in deep trench in the Nantahala Gorge. The trench was necessary to protect human structures from possible rolling material during the burn in the steep terrain (left). Students gather for a group photo after a hard days work digging fireline with R8 Nantahala NF Cheoah RD staff (right).

Article and pictures by Holly Krake, MSEd, Oconaluftee Job Corps CCC Liaison Specialist.