Arkansas Fire Boat Training Set for DeGray Lake

More than 350 people and about 40 watercraft are to take part in a fire boat training exercise set for DeGray Lake.

Departments from Arkansas and Texas are signed up for the Saturday event.

The Arkansas Forestry Commission organizes the sessions with other agencies to put fire crews through different emergency scenarios, including evacuating victims by air and water.

The training is designed to challenge boat crews with situations based on actual emergencies. One scenario is based on what crews had to handle during Hurricane Katrina.