Capt Tom Carpenter, with the Tucson Fire Department, makes it to his escape route as he rushes to get away from the intense flames during a control burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive, on March 7, 2017. The heat was so intense he removed his helmet to shield his face. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water’s Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the fire department. The exercise provides a training opportunity for firefighters to get the chance to witness different fire behavior that you see only in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt Andrew Skaggs.

Tucson Fire Capt. Tom Carpenter escapes intense flames during a controlled burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands, 2511 W. Sweetwater Drive, on March 7, 2017. The heat was so intense he removed his helmet to shield his face. The exercise was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water’s Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the Tucson Fire Department. The exercise provides a training opportunity for firefighters to get the chance to witness different fire behavior that is only seen in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt Andrew Skaggs.

For a gallery of photos of the Sweetwater burn, go to tucson.com/photo

Tucson Fire Department Capt. Tom Carpenter escapes intense flames during a controlled burn of the Sweetwater Wetlands in northwest Tucson . Tuesday’s exercise, which was part of a combined effort by Tucson Water’s Mosquito Abatement Program at the Sweetwater Wetlands and the Tucson Fire Department, provides a training opportunity for firefighters to witness fire behavior that is seen only in wildlands fires, said spokesman Capt. Andrew Skaggs. For a gallery of photos of the Sweetwater burn, go to tucson.com/photo.


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