CMU alumnus Nathan Smithgall attends the first Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy hosted in Grand Junction on CMU's campus
From June 1 to June 5, 2026, CMU’s campus welcomed Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy (CWFIMA) trainees for a week of wildland fire preparation and upskilling coursework. Dedicated to providing education and training resources across the state of Colorado, the CWFIMA used CMU’s campus to convene and prepare for the summer ahead, connecting with a new community of firefighting professionals during the week.
"We chose the Grand Junction area after hearing interest from local firefighters," said Wendy Fischer, executive director of the Colorado Wildland Fire and Incident Management Academy. "When selecting training locations, we look at community interest and where we can bring training opportunities to areas we haven't served before."
Attending the academy was CMU Wildland Fire Management alumnus Nathan Smithgall. Smithgall obtained one certificate and two degrees during his time at CMU Tech, including Emergency Medical Technician Certification, ’17, an Associate of Applied Science Degree in wildland fire management, ’20, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in criminal justice/forensic investigation. Smithgall is originally from Brighton, Colorado, and decided to attend CMU after spending time working in Colbran. He currently works for Valor Defense Manufacturing and volunteers his time with the Mesa County Fire Authority in Whitewater.
Taking courses through the CWFIMA summer academy was his way of continuing to build on his education obtained through Western Colorado Community College, now CMU Tech, and apply it to the real world of incident mitigation, arson investigation and firefighting. His first experience in the field was fighting the 2023 Marshall Fire; a fire located not far from where he grew up. This personal connection to the area made his duty to protect his community from tragedy much more important and meaningful.
The CWFIMA featured multiple courses and classes for a variety of skill levels. What drew Smithgall’s attention was the Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination course, which aligned with his interest in investigating fires and how they are started. Beyond the course that drew Smithgall’s attention, the Academy serves professionals and newcomers alike with in-the-field incident training, which occurred this year in the Fruita desert, to incident management training in the classrooms of Houston Hall. Similar to the courses that CMU Tech’s Wildland Fire Management Program offers, the organization is building upon the skills and knowledge and applying it to real-world scenarios, with the intention of preparing the next generation of firefighters.
“The people that were firefighters 20 years ago are now the incident commanders. They’re moving up the ranks,” said Cropp. “Starting here at CMU is a great place for people to get that basic start, and then they could come to the academy later and continue their education.”
As CMU continues to be a convener of important and relevant training opportunities, CMU Tech Wildland Fire Management students are preparing for a long summer ahead, applying the skills and knowledge obtained in their hands-on classes at CMU Tech.