Several New Mexico military veterans are back on the field but the only enemy they are fighting is fire.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the state's Returning Heroes program has trained 25 veterans to help battle wildfires.
The veterans have been learning new skills while also working on prescribed burns and forest-thinning projects.
Now in its first full year of operation, the State Forestry Division's program was established in 2013 to help get vets back to work.
Gov. Susana Martinez and lawmakers approved more than $1.8 million in funding to maintain the program for two years.
The state says it is seeking other partnerships to find work for 4,000 unemployed veterans.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican.
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