ORCHARD, Idaho — As wildfire season continues across the west, more than 30 new Idaho National Guardsmen are preparing to join the fight when civilian resources are stretched thin.

“Firefighting is always something that, a career field that I’ve had an interest in,” said 1st Sgt. Asa Esslinger with the Idaho National Guard. Esslinger is among the new batch of trainees learning everything they need to know about wildfire suppression so they can assist when conditions intensify.

WATCH: Esslinger and other guardsmen practice digging fire lines and deploying their fire shelters FIRE READY: Idaho National Guardsmen train to be wildland firefighters

“When it gets really bad, there’s not enough aircraft, there’s never enough people. So, having an extra reserve force and additional people tha

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