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.

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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)

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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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