Insider's Look at Smokejumping

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Smokejumpers are highly trained wildfire firefighters deployed to remote locations. They are parachuted in to to secure fires otherwise unreachable by local forces. By making use of high-altitude aircraft, smokejumpers are able to reach fires faster, cheaper, and better equipped than any road-bound vehicle.

Because smokejumping forces are limited to small teams, most of us don’t get a chance to see what these special forces battle.

“Buck” Nelson, a 20-year smokejumping veteran, gives us an insider look into the smokejumping world…

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Quiz: “Could You Be a Smokejumper?”

All information reproduced with the express permission of Bruce L. Nelson. For more information, visit his website here: BuckTrack.com

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JeremieScott

13 days ago

2 comments

What do i have to do or who do i have to talk to about being a smokejumper? I am very very intrested in doing this!
BFD367

about 1 month ago

2 comments

i want to be a wildland firefighter, not so much a smoke jumper. I have heard you need a green card to do this. How do i go about trying to get that, and is there anybody willing to give me advice on how to get there.
Hughes58

about 1 month ago

2 comments

Sign me up!
talisaqc

about 1 month ago

386 comments

I'm interested, but probably won't go through with it.
cpfpd924

2 months ago

80 comments

so...if i wanted to get into this wat kind of physical training would i have to do?? i am not really in very good shape...lol
Cecelia

3 months ago

18 comments

My dream is to become a tanker pilot. Smoke jumping is just a little too crazy for me to get into.
klay8807

4 months ago

4 comments

Im not anywhere close to being a firefighter yet, but i know i want to do smoke jumping.. what do i got to do?? how do i start? is there a way to get a loan or grant for school? maybe someone could clue me in on this. You guys are brave thats why i want to do this
bobbyventress

5 months ago

4 comments

you guys are great courageous men and women!!!
stormy2776

5 months ago

32 comments

while waiting to be flown into Oreagon on a hundred thousand acre fire, our crew was delayed over at Bosie Idaho, one of the schools for smokejumpers. It was really awsome to be there. No wonder theres are bar across the road...LOL j/j
Chris_Cosgriff

7 months ago

324 comments

FYI, there are 12 PAGES of this article- just click on pages 2-12 above!
chasehart

7 months ago

2 comments

yes more info would be nice!!
somenek_jonathon

7 months ago

4 comments

I AM WITH MONDRAGON.
HOW DO WE GET MORE INFO?
Fly_Girl

8 months ago

82 comments

jumpers can jump from helicopters also, not just planes. LIke water rescues. If someone is out where there is no other way to get them out, helicopters would go in because helicopters can hover while planes can not.
MONDRAGON2532

9 months ago

2 comments

SO THATS WHAT I WANT TO DO, SO HOW CAN I BECOME A SMOKEJUMPERS
CAN ANYONE HELP ME HERE PLEASE
palders1

9 months ago

84 comments

I don't get it this is misrepresentation of Smokejumping as they show a helirappel/helitack crew with helicopter. Jumpers jump from planes not helicopters. I would never be a jumper anyhow way too much for me, I don't do heights.