Jumping Into a Wildfire

Each year, tens of thousands of wildfires burn across the country. Some wildfires are caused naturally by lightning. But most wildfires are started accidentally by people.

Once a wildfire starts, it’s hard to control. Strong winds can cause it to spread quickly. As a wildfire spreads, it destroys everything in its path. It can burn through homes, schools, and entire towns. And it can take weeks to get the biggest blazes under control.

That’s where you come in. Smoke jumpers work to stop the most dangerous wildfires before they reach towns or people.

Each year, thousands of wildfires burn across the country. Some wildfires start naturally. They’re started by lightning. But most wildfires are started accidentally by people.

Once a wildfire starts, it’s hard to control. Strong winds can cause it to spread quickly. The wildfire spreads. And it destroys everything in its path. It can burn through homes and schools. It can destroy entire towns. It can take weeks to get the biggest fires under control.

That’s where you come in. Smoke jumpers work on the most dangerous wildfires. These firefighters try to get the fires under control before they reach towns or people.

You parachute to the ground. The plane drops boxes filled with shovels, chainsaws, and other tools. Now it’s time to get to work. You start digging and chopping to clear out trees, dry leaves, and grass—anything that could burn. Soon you’ve created a wide line of bare dirt in the forest floor.

The fire is moving quickly. The heat is all around you. Before long, you’re right on the edge of the blaze. The fire reaches the line of dirt—but it can’t continue. Dirt by itself doesn’t burn. With nothing to burn, the fire stops in its tracks. Your job is done . . .for now.

The wind could change at any moment though, changing the direction of the wildfire. Depending on the fire you’re battling, you could be in the woods for two days or two weeks.

You land on the ground. Your plane drops boxes. They’re filled with shovels, chainsaws, and other tools. Now it’s time to get to work. You start digging and chopping. You try to clear out anything that could burn. You get rid of trees, dry leaves, and grass. Soon you’ve made a line of dirt on the forest floor.

The fire is moving fast. The heat is all around you. The fire reaches the line of dirt. But it can’t go on. There are no more trees or bushes. Dirt by itself doesn’t burn. The fire stops in its tracks. Your job is done . . . for now.

But the wind could change direction. And this could change the direction of the wildfire. You may have to keep working in the woods for days or even weeks.

It’s not easy being a smoke jumper. Scientists say that wildfires are getting bigger and more dangerous each year. But smoke jumpers help keep us safe. When a wildfire starts, they’re ready to jump out of a plane at a moment’s notice. 

It’s hard being a smoke jumper. Scientists say that wildfires have been getting bigger and more dangerous each year. But smoke jumpers help keep us safe. When a wildfire starts, they’re ready to jump out of a plane at a moment’s notice.