PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - In preparation for 2025's fire season, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Department of Corrections are training more than 100 adults in custody (AIC) to become wildland firefighters.

The South Fork Forest Camp is unlike other Department of Corrections facilities. For starters, there is no fence or guard tower. Plus, the site is partially run by the state Department of Forestry.

"It's a fresh breath out here, not having the doors shut behind you, no fences, no anything. Just this, this is awesome," prisoner Erik Tester said.

Tester is one of the over 100 AICs being trained to become wildland firefighters. He was convicted of murder back in 2003 and spent more than two decades in ODC facilities. His last three years were served at South Fork Forest Camp. He said this training is his chance to be a productive member of society once released.

"I have taken so much from my family, from my community. This is my way of giving back. It makes me happy to be here," Tester said.

At South Fork, they train year-round, but during wildfire awareness month, they focus on fighting wildfires and run drills like digging fire lines.

"I've been here at South Fork since July of 2022," prisoner Forrest Frost said.

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Frost is nearly done with his 12-year sentence for unlawful use of a firearm. He was previously at a medium security prison and said that as soon as he was eligible to transfer to South Fork, he jumped at it.

"Being able to come here and work with others and be a team and gain skills and knowledge that I can use out there, like firefighting, like any job, these skills carry over," Frost said.

With his release months away, he said he feels prepared to work in the outside world once again.

"It gives me more confidence getting out after the time I have been in here," Frost said.

Even after these adults in custody finish their sentences, they get to keep their firefighter certifications, because this is the same accredited training firefighters get all across the country.

Many AICs get their firefighter II certification, while others, like Tester, can move up the ranks and start working on their firefighter I certification.

The Oregon Department of Forestry also said they have hired multiple former AICs over the years, all across the state.