ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Firefighters will start live fire training over the next several weeks in Douglas County.

Training will occur in fields near Gazley Road outside of Canyonville, Speedway Road near Green, northwest of Roseburg near Garden Valley Road, and northwest of Oakland near Metz Hill.

Fire officials say this type of training is beneficial for both new and returning firefighters.

This may be the first actual firefighting for new firefighters, which allows them a hands-on opportunity to apply and practice what they recently learned at fire school. These training opportunities also give returning firefighters the chance to brush up on their skills before the fire season's peak.

Officials say safety for the public and firefighters is their number one priority, and precautions will be taken to ensure the fires don’t go beyond the training grounds.

The sessions usually occur in the late morning or early afternoon and last several hours.