Boise Fire Department Trains at Outlet Mall Ahead of Demolition

It's as predictable as death, taxes and Christmas: a local Facebook post that says 'What's the smoke coming from the airport!?'

Then the Facebook post goes crazy--with thousands of comments that are a mixed bag of 'following' or those mocking the all-too-regular question.

Luckily and thankfully, 9 times out of 10, it is the fire department training -- but boy, it causes confusion.

Boise Fire Crews are training yet again this week, but this time, at the Outlet Mall.  You have seen the old mall in the news a lot lately, as it has officially been shut down with demolition on the way. In a unique set of circumstances, the structure has been 'donated' to the department for training purposes.

See fire by the outlet malls? Don't stress--BFD is training.

Here's a closer look at some of Boise Fire Department's training exercises at the soon to be demolished Outlet Mall!

Have you ever seen that black plume of smoke coming from the airport? 

It can certainly look scary from afar--and with everything going on in the world, it isn't tough to see why some may panic or wonder. Just remember, however, there's nothing to fear--it's beneficial training for our first responders.

The Boise Fire Department practices these structure exercises and airport fire trainings multiple times a year--as often as they are able--to be in tip-top shape keeping all of us safe, year round.

While this fire training may be 'fun and games' with folks online--there's nothing fun about the fires that Boise saw late last summer when dozens of homes were threatened in the Boise foothills. Take a look back at the fire crews that were in action battling these flames with HUGE planes overhead.