Maybe the place to get experience is on the ground in support of someone watching, waiting for a chance when it's not flat out or congested.........being in a cfa unit learning about fire behaviour and ground attack methods.......or two pilot ops (as mentioned by another) with a mentor/trainer.......or participating in a training school or carding sytem........or........if none of that appeals, spread your experience curve to everyone at the operation by finding someone desperate to have a machine flying, no adequate training, bumble around off freq., near missing everyone else, contra-direction, spraying water/chemical over the ground crews, leaving the bucket in the flame front, clunking stags, overtorqueing, how did I do that turns, getting really tired but pushing on selflessly, making cowboy hooting noises......etc etc.
(By the way I have done some of the above), but recommend that there are better ways than plunging in at the deep end, that someone may be able to elaborate on here.
In the interest of complete discussion - SMIB.
DD