BANGOR (AP) — A dozen Maine students are joining the state’s forest rangers to help prevent wildfires.

Twelve students and one staff member will be recognized on Friday for completing the national “Hot Shots” Fire Fighting Program through the Penobscot Job Corps Academy, a career technical and education center for young adults ages 16-24.

The students will work under Maine Forest Rangers to assist in preventing and fighting wildfires.

The Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry said the group is the first group from a Job Corps Center to finish the program east of the Mississippi River.

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