 The weather outside is cold but at Camp Ripley in Little Falls this week it's all about fire. This week the first statewide conservation corps Minnesota Academy is being held to train future wildland firefighters. The Academy is bringing in over 100 young students from all across the country to train for a future career in firefighting. Students are learning the basics of fighting wildfires as well as participating in field exercises all to learn about wildland firefighting ahead of the coming spring season. For many students firefighting is a passion and an adrenaline rush. I grew up outside and so I love being outside and working hard so I'm really excited to be a part of that adventure. And where I'm stationed particularly we're doing a lot of prescribed burns so I need that training so they don't get out of hand and whatnot so we don't have a bigger deal on our hands so this is good training for that. I think I mean all the necessary tools in order to deal with prescribed burns and other stuff as well. Now the CCM Academy continues through Friday at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.