MACHIAS — The Maine Forest Service will sponsor a free basic forest firefighting course for state and national red-card certification on July 10, 11 and 13, at the University of Maine at Machias.

The course will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 13.

All that is required in state certification is the completion of the course. No physical fitness test is required. For national certification, applicants must complete a physical fitness test which will be given during the afternoon session July 13. Applicants will have a choice of running 1.5 miles in 11 minutes, 45 seconds, or score better than 45 on the step test.

On Saturday, July 13, participants should bring lunch, workboots, hard hat and gloves. Field drills will be held in the afternoon session.

For more information, call Jo-Ellen Stevens or Rick Scribner at 255-3313.