MANITOU SPRINGS, COLO. -- Hiking the now 'legal" Manitou Springs incline is just one of many strenous activities the local fire departments do to prepare for wildfire season. With collaborative efforts from all crews in the county, they're hoping for a smooth wildfire season, even with extreme fire dangers and drought-like conditions.

"We interact with each other", says Jeff Loveless of the Colorado Springs Fire Department. " So much of the wild land arenas bleed over into other people's territories, so it's important to have a cooperative agreement with each other and know each other. Part of what we do is we network as we are here today."

The five fire departments represented for the incline training, did more than just network. According to Shane Coyne with the Crystal Park Fire Department,  a lot of the training they endure as a unit, is on hillsides and high altitudes.

"There's nothing better than the incline. We're really lucky to have it."

They say the incline strengthens their lungs and builds up their endurance, all in preparation for future fire dangers and ultimately to protect the local communities.