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Wildland fire is a hugely transformative experience on many levels; it transforms landscapes and it transforms people — without bias or discrimination. There is no doubt that many people are fascinated by fire, but wildland firefighters are a unique breed of individuals who are drawn to and understand fire on an entirely different level.

Think about what happens when you’re sitting around a campfire with friends. Stories…good storytelling is what happens. Stories that make the hair stand up on your arms; stories that make you laugh; stories that make you think and question what you believe you already know.  Now, imagine those friends have personally lit thousands of acres on fire.  That’s what The Smokey Generation is capturing – the stories of extraordinary people who would happily sit around a campfire with you and share their thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned. In essence, The Smokey Generation is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing stories and oral histories of wildland firefighters from all walks of life. It is dedicated to telling the story of fire.

Click on the images below to view stories from each person who has contributed to The Smokey Generation.  There are many more interviews in the pipeline – check back over the next couple of months for even more stories.

Have a good laugh, take a deep breath, and give some thought to the messages.  You are bound to be transformed, even if only in the smallest of ways.  Enjoy!

Brian Anderson, Hotshot Superintendent

Bob Beckley , Former Smokejumper (RAC ’83)

Leonard Blixrud, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’53)

Eric Brekstad, Crew Boss, Miller Timber Services

Charlie Caldwell, Retired Hotshot Superintendent

Peter Carpenter, Former Smokejumper (RDD ’59)

Juan Castandea, Hotshot Squad Leader

Dirk Charley, USFS Tribal Relations Prog. Mgr

Fred Cooper, Former Smokejumper (NCSB ’62)

Brent Corkish, Hotshot Sawyer

Davis

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

Drew Derrick, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Drew Derrick, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Rick Dice, Owner, PatRick Corporation

Rick Dice, Owner, PatRick Corporation

Harold Dramstad, Former Smokejumper (MYC ’87)

Troop Emonds, Former Smokejumper (CJ ’66)

Dan Farmer, Hotshot Crewmember

Dan Farmer, Hotshot Crewmember

Rigo Flores, Hotshot Lead Firefighter

Rigo Flores, Hotshot Lead Firefighter

Ron Garcia, Dist. Fire Management Officer

Ron Garcia, Dist. Fire Management Officer

Nick Glatt, Hotshot Lead Firefighter

Nick Glatt, Hotshot Lead Firefighter

Steve Griffin, N. CA Fire Training Officer

Schin Haakenson, Owner, A-Team Wildfire Contract Engines, Inc.

Don Halloran, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’53)

Adam Hernandez, Hotshot Captain

Adam Hernandez, Hotshot Captain

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)

Ken Jordan, Retired Hotshot Superintendent

Ken Jordan, Retired Hotshot Superintendent

Matt Kennedy, Hotshot Superintendent

Matt Kennedy, Hotshot Superintendent

Erin Kimsey, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Erin Kimsey, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Stephen Latham, Current Smokejumper (MSO ’11)

Brian Laird, Hotshot Captain

Brian Laird, Hotshot Captain

Jeff Locke, Hotshot Superintendent

Jeff Locke, Hotshot Superintendent

Ed Lyn, Smokejumper (MSO '95)

Ed Lynn, Smokejumper (MSO ’95)

Dan Mallia, Hotshot Superintendent

Bruce Marshall, Former Smokejumper (BOI ’71)

Kim Maynard, Former Smokejumper (MSO ’82)

Eric Miller, Hotshot Superintendent

Lee Miller, Owner, Miller Timber Services

Isaac Naylor, Battalion Chief

Gina Papke, Program Specialist & former IHC Supt.

Robert Parcell, Former Smokejumper (MSO ‘71)

Josh Parker, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Josh Parker, Hotshot Senior Firefighter

Dan Pickard, Hotshot Squad Leader

Dan Pickard, Hotshot Squad Leader

Nick Robison, Hotshot Squad Leader

Nick Robison, Hotshot Squad Leader

Stephanie Rogers, Hotshot Crewmember

Stephanie Rogers, Hotshot Crewmember

William Sanders, Hotshot Crewmember

William Sanders, Hotshot Crewmember

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)

Cameron Stinchfield, Detailed Assistant Hotshot Superintendent

Cameron Stinchfield, Detailed Asst. Hotshot Supt.

Bobby Sutton, Current Smokejumper (MSO '91)

Bobby Sutton, Current Smokejumper (MSO ’91)

Thorne

Andy Thorne, Retired Captain & Smokejumper

Tom Wilks, Former Smokejumper (GAC '87)

Tom Wilks, Former Smokejumper (GAC ’87)

Mark Youmans

Mark Youmans, Former Smokejumper (RDD ’81)

Elvira Young

Elvira Young, Retired, USFS

The Bushmen Group

The Bushmen Group, Now Entiat IHC

More-Coming-Soon..

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