More than 800 students gathered in Prescott last month for the 16th annual Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy.

Held at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 888 students came from 23 states and even Canada to participate in over 50 wildfire-related classes. There, they learned about the many tools and resources necessary for protecting people and nature during times of danger.

These courses covered everything from fire behavior analysis and logistics to chain saws and public information. In addition, 100 students took part in basic firefighter training to prepare for a career as entry level firefighters.

Since its inception more than a decade ago, over 9,000 students have gone through the academy’s training.

For more information about the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy, please visit the official website here.