英语听力—美国之音慢速英语（MP3+文本，打包40份）

Prisoners in California Help Fight Wildfires By Caty Weaver and Madeline Smith 2013-6-27 Welcome to American Mosaic from VOA Learning English. I’m June Simms. Today on the show we play summery music suggested by listeners. We also look a New York City program that provides information to immigrants interested in American citizenship. But first we go to California to learn about a program that helps prisoners and the public at large. California Prisoners Fight Fires The western state of California is known for wildfires. This year the fire season has been extremely active. California has some of the most experienced firefighters in the country because of its high risk of fire. Prisoners in California also take part in firefighting efforts. Mario Ritter tells us how and why. Every morning prisoners in orange clothing go to their jobs as fire fighters. If there is no fire at the time, they carefully clean all the tools needed to make firebreaks. Firebreaks are barriers made of grass or land that slow or stop the spread of fire. In California, prisoners who have no history of violent crime and are in good physical condition may train and work as firefighters. They may get their prison sentences reduced in exchange for their help fighting fires. But that is not the only appeal of the work program, says Louie Orozco, who was sentenced to prison for robbery. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s an adrenaline rush, it’s fun at the same time. You’re expected to go out there and fight fires. Climb thousands of feet up hills, rocky terrain, and sometimes sandy terrain, with tools you got anywhere between30 and 50 pounds of gear on your back.” Prisoners in California have been working as firefighters for more than 60 years. They also serve the community in other ways, says Captain Mike Mahler of the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Our crews are used during floods, search and rescue operations. They put in about 2.5 million hours a year just in emergency response al