It’s the busiest time of year for wildland firefighters in New Mexico.
With the South Fork and Salt fires still burning in Ruidoso, and smaller fires sparking each week in the northern half of the state, the Forest Stewards Youth Corps is looking to hire and train crews to help keep the forest healthy and fight fires.
Several dozen 18 to 25 year olds will be hired for 13-week positions from Aug. 19 through Nov. 15 in Mountainair, Jemez Pueblo and Española. Working alongside Forest Service employees, crews will receive training in wildland firefighting.
Crews stationed in Mountainair will receive free housing.
Since its inception, the Forest Stewards Youth Corps has invested over $7 million in rural New Mexican communities and employed over 700 youth.
For more information on the program, visit foreststewardsguild.org/fsyc.