The Smokejumper Collection

In July, 2015, The Smokey Generation attended the 75th Anniversary of Smokejumping – National Reunion in Missoula, Montana to collect stories from current and former smokejumpers. Who are smokejumpers? Smokejumpers are wildland firefighters who parachute into remote areas to suppress wildland fires…and they’re characters, to the last. We were able to collect stories from smokejumpers representing every decade from the 1940’s to present during (and around) the reunion. Throughout the weekend, the laughter came easy, the camaraderie was practically tangible, and the living history was a rush to be around – simply an amazing experience. Full interviews are also posted on the Stories by Person page, but here are a few select stories for your viewing enjoyment. Enjoy!

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Click on the boxes below to watch some of our favorite stories from the interviews collected during the 2015 Smokejumper Reunion.

Alaskan River Landing

Alaskan River Landing Ariel Starr, Redding Smokejumper in 2012 and Missoula Smokejumper from 2013-Present (2015), tells an amusing story about her first jump in her home state of Alaska.

Martha's Fire Bruce Marshall, Boise Smokejumper from 1971-1972 and Alaska Smokejumper from 1973-1975, tells a story about a memorable fire at Deacon's Landing in Alaska. The fire, named after the young woman who started it to clear brush around the family's cabin, was one of the highlights of his smokejumping career.

Lengthwise, From Head to Toe

Lengthwise, From Head to Toe Tom Wilks, Grangeville Smokejumper in 1987, talks about the last fire of his smokejumping career where he sustained life-threatening burn and back injuries.

Cubies and Ants in the Ear

Cubies and Ants in the Ear Bobby Sutton, Missoula Smokejumper from 1991-1992 and 2003-2004, and West Yellowstone Smokejumper from 1993-1996 and 2005-Present, talks about the most painful experience he's had on a fire.

Eastern Fires Troop Emonds, Cave Junction Smokejumper from 1966-1967 and 1971-1980 and Alaskan Smokejumper from 1981-1992, talks about his experience jumping eastern fires.

Tolo Point Ronald Stephens, Missoula Smokejumper from 1946-1947, talks about the start of his career in Idaho as a crewmember on a Blister Rust Crew and as a Lookout. TheSmokeyGeneration.com.

Hitchhiking and Hopping Trains

Hitchhiking and Hopping Trains Don Skei, Redmond Smokejumper from 1969-1973, describes an amusing story about some visiting Cave Junction smokejumpers who got into a little trouble getting back to the base after spending the evening in Bend, OR.

Memorable Fires

Memorable Fires Fred Cooper, North Cascades Smokejumper from 1962-1963 and Redmond Smokejumper from 1964-1967, describes a couple of memorable fires he jumped in Oregon and Idaho.

Eighty Feet Down

Eighty Feet Down Robert Beckley, Redmond Smokejumper in 1983 and Grangeville Smokejumper from 1984-1985, talks about a career-ending injury that nearly took his life while jumping a lightning fire in Idaho.

Smokejumping and Cacti

Smokejumping and Cacti Jeff Davis, Missoula Smokejumper from 1957 through 1978, tells a funny story about his first jump on the Gila National Forest during his second year as a smokejumper. [Smokejumper Bobby Sutton attended the interview, as well.]

An Epic Pack-out

An Epic Pack-out Kim Maynard, Missoula Smokejumper from 1982-1990, talks about a two-manner she jumped that ended with an epic pack-out.

An Introduction: Peter Carpenter

An Introduction: Peter Carpenter Peter Carpenter, Redding Smokejumper from 1959 through 1961, describes how he came to be a smokejumper and how it transformed his life. He also provides some thoughts on the changing philosophy of wildland firefighting from when he started to what we’re seeing today.

The Cactus Fire

The Cactus Fire Stephen Latham, current Missoula Smokejumper describes witnessing a close call on the Cactus Fire in Hells Canyon (OR).

Conquering Fear

Conquering Fear Robert Hough, North Cascades Smokejumper from 1951-1955, describes conquering fear during a fire--when he was stuck in a tree while the fire was growing downslope from his location.

Coffee and Cheesecake

Coffee and Cheesecake Ed Lynn, Missoula Smokejumper from 1995-1997, 2007-Present, Grangeville Smokejumper from 1998-2000, and McCall Smokejumper from 2004-2006, talks about a fire in Wyoming in the Bridger-Tetons where they were treated to coffee on the fireline by some locals.

A Special Bond Leonard Blixrud, Missoula Smokejumper in 1953, talks about a couple of incidents mid-jump and reminisces about the parts of smokejumping that he enjoyed most.

Rock! Robert Parcell, Missoula Smokejumper from 1971, 1980-1983, and 1987, and Grangeville Smokejumper from 1972-1974, talks about a fire where he sustained a minor injury from a falling rock.

Romance, Streamer Pills, and Coming of Age

Romance, Streamer Pills, and Coming of Age Don Halloran, Missoula Smokejumper from 1953-1955, reminisces about his time smokejumping, including summer romances, project work, and the first couple of jumps.

Campfires and Fellowship

Campfires and Fellowship Harold Dramstad, McCall Smokejumper from 1987-1989 and Missoula Smokejumper from 1990-1991, talks about a couple of memorable jumps and enjoyable moments.

Mann Gulch Body Recovery

Mann Gulch Body Recovery C. Richard "Dick" Hughes, Missoula Smokejumper in 1964, Grangeville in 1965 and 1966, and Alaska in 1967-1973, describes his memories as a child of his dad, Jack Hughes, who had just come home from flying the bodies of the men who had perished during Mann Gulch Fire. He also talks about childhood excursions to the Mann Gulch fatality site with Norman Maclean.

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Full Interviews
To listen to the full interviews, click on the images below.

Bob Beckley , Former Smokejumper (RAC ’83)

Leonard Blixrud, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’53)

Peter Carpenter, Former Smokejumper (RDD ’59)

Fred Cooper, Former Smokejumper (NCSB ’62)

Davis

Jeff R. Davis, Retired Smokejumper (MSO ’57)

Harold Dramstad, Former Smokejumper (MYC ’87)

Troop Emonds, Former Smokejumper (CJ ’66)

Don Halloran, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’53)

Robert Hough, Former Smokejumper (NCSB '51)

Robert Hough, Former Smokejumper (NCSB ’51)

C. Richard (Dick) Hughes, Former Smokejumper (MSO '64)

C. Richard (Dick) Hughes, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’64)

Stephen Latham, Current Smokejumper (MSO ’11)

Ed Lyn, Smokejumper (MSO '95)

Ed Lynn, Smokejumper (MSO ’95)

Bruce Marshall, Former Smokejumper (BOI ’71)

Kim Maynard, Former Smokejumper (MSO ‘ 82)

Robert Parcell, Former Smokejumper (MSO ‘71)

Don Skei, Former Smokejumper (RAC ’69)

Ariel Starr, Smokejumper (RDD '12)

Ariel Starr, Smokejumper (RDD ’12)

Ronald Stephens, Former Smokejumper (MSO '46)

Ronald Stephens, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’46)

Bobby Sutton, Current Smokejumper (MSO '91)

Bobby Sutton, Current Smokejumper (MSO ’91)

Tom Wilks, Former Smokejumper (GAC '87)

Tom Wilks, Former Smokejumper (GAC ’87)

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