A smokejumper is a firefighter who parachutes into a remote area to combat wildfires.

Smokejumpers are most often deployed to fires that are extremely remote. The extra risk and trouble associated with this method is justified by reaching a wildfire shortly after ignition when it is still relatively small. Another argument for delivering wildland firefighters by parachute is the fact that the fixed-wing aircraft that carry smokejumpers are cheaper to operate over long distances, carry more personnel and equipment and have higher top speeds than the helicopters often used for other fire deployments. While remoteness is one reason parachute deployment is used, it adds to the risk inherent in smokejumping as crews are often hours away from help if the wind shifts or someone gets injured. The ordinary risk of a parachute jump, the adverse conditions for the jump, and the lack of resources for firefighting and rescue once on the ground in a remote area gives smokejumping a reputation as exceedingly dangerous work.

Smokejumpers (except in Alaska) use round parachutes which are more difficult to steer than modern sport parachutes. Since they are jumping into remote and often forested locations, they jump wearing heavily padded clothing in order to be prepared for the possibility of landing in a tree.

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7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers crew.. http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
alaskanewsnow (Alaska News Now) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:47:33 -0000
7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers crew.. http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers cre.. http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
earlvalleysr (Earl A. Valley Sr.) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:15:57 -0000
7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers cre.. http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers crew tha... http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
earlvalleysr (Earl A. Valley Sr.) Sat, 19 Dec 2009 04:59:39 -0000
7 convicted of falsifying fishing, hunting documents: Seven out-of-state members of a federal smokejumpers crew tha... http://bit.ly/5rhtaB
hmmmmmm...#MusicMonday H.A.T.E.U by #MariahCarey ..i like the @smokejumpers remix :)
kimberlythemuse (Kimberly Anderson) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:39:58 -0000
hmmmmmm...#MusicMonday H.A.T.E.U by #MariahCarey ..i like the @smokejumpers remix :)
RT @FireInfoGirl: RT @OODAlink: Smokejumpers used an OODA wireless comm kit to help fight wildfires in N. CA. http://bit.ly/WyVnT
wildfiretoday (Bill Gabbert) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:03:37 -0000
RT @FireInfoGirl: RT @OODAlink: Smokejumpers used an OODA wireless comm kit to help fight wildfires in N. CA. http://bit.ly/WyVnT
RT @OODAlink: This summer US Forest Service smokejumpers used an OODAkit to help fight wildfires in N. CA. http://bit.ly/WyVnT
FireInfoGirl (FireInfoGirl) Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:50:25 -0000
RT @OODAlink: This summer US Forest Service smokejumpers used an OODAkit to help fight wildfires in N. CA. http://bit.ly/WyVnT

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