Young women train in fire service at Camp Cinder
Camp will host 32 students from across California
– Camp Cinder, a four-day firefighting camp for young women, will take place June 23–26 in San Luis Obispo. The camp aims to introduce female high school students from across California to the fire service and build skills for future careers.
The camp will host 32 students from across California. It is led by volunteer firefighters and supported by multiple fire and emergency agencies. Participating organizations include Cal Fire, San Luis Obispo County Fire, Pismo Beach Fire Department, Atascadero Fire Department, Cambria Fire Department, San Luis Obispo City Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Cruz Central Fire Department, Oakland Fire Department, State Parks, Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, California Conservation Corps, California Highway Patrol, University of California Davis Fire Department, Pismo Lifeguards, Association of Amputee Surfers, San Luis Ambulance, and California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo.
Camp activities will include water rescue operations, cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction, structural and wildland firefighting tactics, auto-extrication, physical agility test training, resume and interview building, and sessions focused on mental well-being.
Campers will train at several locations, including California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, the Cal Fire training facility, and Avila Dog Beach. Cal Poly will also provide meals, housing, and other amenities during the camp.
Camp Cinder was created in 2014 by six female firefighters from Cal Fire. After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp resumed in 2022, 2023, and continues in 2025. The program focuses on creating a safe, interactive, and challenging environment to help young women build strength, knowledge, and confidence in pursuing firefighting careers.
