On March 15, The Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (AWIMA) begins its 24th season in Prescott. The week-long academy offers all levels of educational classes for wildland firefighters and incident management training ahead of the 2026 wildfire season.
Throughout the week, academy participants will focus on cultivating critical leadership skills and strengthening important partnerships between various fire service organizations in the face of a dynamic, upcoming fire season. The Academy currently boasts more than 1,000 registered participants spanning across federal, state and tribal jurisdictions, as well as numerous volunteer and rural fire departments and private contractors. Additionally, $40k in scholarships were awarded to students with more than 45 classes to choose from – ranging from Basic Wildland Firefighting Operations, Wildfire Behavior to Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) training. More than 100 wildland fire and incident management professionals from Arizona and around the country help teach critical curricula and share their experiences with students.
“The wildland fire community is a family, and the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy represents that foundation,” Incident Commander Lathe Evans said. “The Academy is not only a top-notch program, but it also provides opportunities for firefighters, overhead, and command staff to network and strengthen relationships. This is especially important as we navigate change within the wildland fire service. With change comes challenges, but it also creates opportunities. We must adapt, remain resilient, and continue delivering safe, professional wildfire response in an increasingly complex environment.”
Again, this year, AWIMA is partnering with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to host the students, staff, and the 34-member AWIMA Incident Management Team (IMT) overseeing the academy and its daily operations.
“Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is proud of its long-standing partnership with the Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy. Its hands-on training and collaborative approach play an essential role in preparing responders for wildfire and emergency response. Embry-Riddle values its role in supporting this mission,” ERAU Prescott Campus Chancellor Dr. Ken Witcher said.
AWIMA was founded in 2003 following the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, then the largest wildfire in Arizona’s history. Designed to strengthen firefighter training and foster a more collaborative approach to wildland firefighting, AWIMA has since earned national recognition for its high-quality, innovative wildland fire and all-hazard incident management training. The weeklong academy draws students from across the country and has awarded more than 15,000 completion certificates since being founded.
The Academy staff and IMT want to thank its generous donors who continue to make the Academy possible including, Arizona Public Service (APS), Yavapai County, Captain CrossFit, State Farm Insurance, 310 Dust Control, Tactical Fire Rentals, Wildland Registry, Timber Ridge Fire, and Prescott Fire Department.
Academy registration remains open through March 1, 2026. Please contact AWIMA Public Information Office pio@azwima.org or visit www.azwildfireacademy.org for more information. Follow us on Facebook at @AZWildfireAcademy and subscribe to the AZWildfireAcademy YouTube channel.
