Hotshots prepare for wildfire season

Firefighters in the Mat-Su Valley are in the middle of an intensive two-week training.
Member of the Pioneer Peak Interagency Hotshot Crew learn the basics in the classroom before trying out their skills in the field.
On Thursday afternoon, the crew put its newest firefighters to the test with the “rookie run.” It’s an eight- to 10-mile run on the frontage roads in Palmer while crew leaders pepper the six rookies with questions about their training.
“Pushing each and ever