MEXICO — Fire science students from the Region 9 School of Applied Technology were among the many firefighters who battled a woods fire in Hartford on Monday night and all day Tuesday.

Fire science instructor Jon Longley said 15 juniors and seniors, either in the first-year or second-year class, had a chance to put what they were learning into action. Longley, educational technician Chris Gorham and a couple of former fire science students also helped.

The male and female students were divided into three crews and assigned specific tasks. Longley said one group wore fire extinguisher backpacks to put out hot spots and small fires; the second helped establish a fire line; and the third was charged with ensuring hot spots were extinguished.

He said all students hiked into the site on Little Pinnacle Mountain off Route 219.  Fire departments from throughout the area responded to Monday afternoon’s call.

“This was an opportunity to show some of their training,” Longley said.

He said following safety measures was the top priority while fighting the fire.

Students will talk about the experience Wednesday and Thursday, he said.