They leap from aircraft thousands of feet above ground, parachuting into some of the country’s most remote, rugged terrain—all in pursuit of flame.
When wildfires ignite in the most remote corners of America’s wilderness, a specialized team of elite firefighters is often first on the scene — arriving not by road or helicopter but by parachute. These are the smokejumpers of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an elite firefighting force rooted in tradition, grit and danger.
A firefighter wielding a Pulaski ax. Photo by Keanu Phumpraphat.
Caleb Ashby, Public Affairs Officer for BLM Fire at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho, knows the smokejumper story well. From its humble beginnings in the early 1940s, the program has grown into a vital interagency resource in the fight against wildfires nationwide.
“The smokejumper program has developed into a highly specialized, interagency resource that supports wildfire suppression efforts nationwide,” said Ashby. “These firefighters often parachute into remote, rugged areas to rapidly engage new wildfires.”
The Great Basin Smokejumpers, headquartered in Boise, are part of a more extensive network of BLM and U.S. Forest Service operations across the western United States. With bases also in Fairbanks, Alaska, and other locations, these crews train to the highest national interagency standards, blending firefighting skills with airborne precision.
Each base tailors training slightly to reflect local conditions. But no matter where they train, all smokejumpers must meet the same demanding standards.
BECOMING A SMOKEJUMPER
Getting into this elite circle is no easy feat. Applicants need at least two seasons of wildland firefighting experience. However, the most successful candidates arrive with several years on hotshot or other highly trained suppression crews under their belts.
The selection process is incredibly competitive. Only a few candidates are selected each year after a grueling tryout process.
Once chosen, recruits enter a rigorous five- to six-week training program known simply as “jump school.” The curriculum includes parachute landing falls, tower jumps, aircraft exits, cargo delivery, and live operational field exercises. Trainees must complete several successful jumps and demonstrate full proficiency in all required smokejumper duties before they’re cleared for real-world assignments.
“The role is physically demanding, team-oriented and mission-focused,” Ashby noted. “Many consider it the most rewarding and challenging assignment within the fire community.”
FACING THE FIRE — AND THE FALL
Smokejumpers contend with the dangers of firefighting — heat, smoke, falling trees and shifting winds — and the added hazards of parachuting into rugged, isolated landscapes. Landing zones can be unpredictable, with rocky outcrops, dense timber, or steep slopes awaiting their descent.
“Injuries can happen during jumps and on the ground,” Ashby said. “You’re operating in terrain that can be treacherous, and escape routes are often limited.”
Despite the risks, smokejumping offers a level of autonomy and adventure that few other firefighting roles provide. Crews are small, tight-knit, and often tasked with rapidly suppressing fires in high-risk areas before they can grow out of control.
While some smokejumpers stay for only a few seasons, many build long-term careers that lead to leadership roles in fire management, aviation, or fuel programs. Others transition to overhead positions on incident management teams, handling large-scale wildfire operations or responding to other emergencies like hurricanes and floods.
Firefighter on night ops on the Brakes Fire in Wyoming. Photo by James Corbett.
There’s a tremendous opportunity for advancement. Many go on to lead crews, coordinate regional efforts, or support national emergency responses.
Even after training, smokejumpers are required to complete annual refresher courses and recurrent jumps to maintain their qualifications. The work is relentless, but it’s also gratifying for many.
Why Jump?
So, why would someone willingly leap out of an aircraft into a blazing wilderness?
The job comes with undeniable perks: the camaraderie of a close team, opportunities to work in some of the country’s most beautiful and wild parts, and the chance to make a meaningful impact during wildfire season. But it’s not without sacrifices.
Time away from home can be extensive, with constant physical demands.
Still, smokejumping remains one of the fire community’s most respected and revered paths for those who thrive in high-stakes environments.
Smokejumpers also serve as mentors to the next generation, offering guidance and training to ensure standards remain high across the nation. With several bases located throughout the western U.S., including BLM facilities in Boise, Idaho, and Fairbanks, Alaska, each unit tailors its training slightly to match local terrain, but all must meet national interagency standards in fitness, parachute operations, and firefighting.
While the job is physically and mentally demanding, many in the field describe it as the most rewarding assignment within wildland firefighting. The cons? Long deployments, unpredictable schedules and grueling physical strain.
But their work doesn’t end when the flames die down.