Palo Duro Wildfire Academy to move to Borger; city cites training, Firewise renewal and regional preparedness

City Manager Gary Scally briefed the Borger City Council on local wildfire preparedness on Nov. 18, saying the Palo Duro Wildfire Academy is scheduled to move to Borger and be hosted at the Dome in future years.

"The Palo Duro Wildfire Academy ... they're going to be moving to Borger," Scally said, noting that the academy’s relocation will increase regional exposure for the city and provide training opportunities for local staff. He said Borger sent personnel to recent academy classes and that several local personnel taught at sessions this year: four wildland mitigation personnel took classes, four structural firefighters attended, and three Borger personnel taught courses.

Scally also reported the city’s wildland division submitted its Firewise certification renewal and is preparing for a seven-mile prescribed burn intended to reduce wildfire risk. He discussed coordination with the Texas Forest Service, which the city is engaging to consider the airport as a SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker) base and to possibly station seasonal personnel locally.

The city said it has completed water and hydrant work needed to support air assets and regional response. Scally framed these moves as part of an effort to strengthen local and regional wildfire response capabilities.

Next steps: staff will continue coordination with the Texas Forest Service and the regional planning partners to host academy activities and finalize operational arrangements required for air asset basing and prescribed burning.