Skip to content

Wildland Firefighter Program Keeps Watch on LA Fires

Instructor Jon Kellermann shares expertise with local media

Firefighters in yellow uniforms manage a controlled burn in a dry, grassy area with trees in the background

With dry weather and dangerous winds threatening to trigger another round of wildfires, more than 15,000 first responders—including firefighters from around the U.S., Canada and Mexico—are battling fires that broke out in the Los Angeles area last week.

Wildland Fire and Natural Resources instructor Jon Kellermann is watching the developments closely and knows the plan of attack. It’s the same plan he teaches his students in the Wildland Firefighter program: protect people, property and natural resources.

“You can rebuild homes. The forest will grow back. But life is precious,” Jon explains. As an instructor at FVTC for 15 years, Jon was recently asked to share his expertise with local media. While wildfire season is typically identified between May and November, Jon points out that with recurring droughts, the winter months should not be ignored.

“We’re starting to see there are not really ‘fire seasons’ anymore,” Jon says. “It is a continuous thing that has to be thought about.”


In the News

WBAY-TV: FVTC wildland firefighter program teaches skills used in California fires
WLUK-TV: WI experts explain how high winds, dry conditions are fueling LA wildfires

Related Articles

Student using tool to refinish paint on vehicle Read more
Monday | February 9, 2026

Focus on Careers: Auto Collision Repair & Refinish

Auto collision repair is about a lot more than fixing dents. The way Joe Kircher sees it, auto collision repair is about having a knack for technical precision, an openness to evolving technology and a meticulous eye for craftsmanship. As department chair of the Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technology program at Fox Valley Technical

Faculty Spotlight Justin Wege in an agriculture lab, working with a student. Read more
Wednesday | February 4, 2026

Faculty Spotlight: Q&A with Justin Wege

Justin Wege was a farm kid, so he knows how to work hard. From his early mornings milking cows to years in dealership service management, Justin’s path to teaching was shaped by hands-on experience. As the Department Chair for the FVTC Precision Agriculture and Agriculture Mechanics programs, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his

FVTC Main Campus Sign during the snow Read more
Friday | January 23, 2026

Public Confidence in Fox Valley Technical College Continues to Rise

Public confidence in Wisconsin’s technical colleges is growing and new statewide survey results show Fox Valley Technical College is being recognized for what Wisconsin residents value most in higher education: hands-on relevant learning, employable skills and clear transfer pathways. The latest Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Public Perception Survey shows two‑thirds of Wisconsin residents hold