University of Montana

Abstract

One of the first men selected in 1940 to train as a smokejumper, Earl Cooley describes the early years of the program, including the selection of men, the training, and the equipment. He also recalls being on the first fire jump for the smokejumper program, and fighting fires.

Abstract

Francis Lufkin discusses his 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, which includes being one of the first smokejumpers as well as an equipment developer, trainer, and base manager of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. He describes the many changes in the program during his tenure in terms of training and equipment. Lufkin also reminisces about the camaraderie among the smokejumpers with whom he served.

Abstract

Francis Lufkin discusses his 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, which includes being one of the first smokejumpers as well as an equipment developer, trainer, and base manager of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. He describes the many changes in the program during his tenure in terms of training and equipment. Lufkin also reminisces about the camaraderie among the smokejumpers with whom he served.

Abstract

Francis Lufkin discusses his 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, which includes being one of the first smokejumpers as well as an equipment developer, trainer, and base manager of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. He describes the many changes in the program during his tenure in terms of training and equipment. Lufkin also reminisces about the camaraderie among the smokejumpers with whom he served.

Abstract A smokejumper from 1941 to 1942 and 1945 to 1958, Fred O. Brauer describes the early development of the smokejumper program. He discusses the many challenges the program faced during that time, including equipment development, wartime shortages, and funding issues. He also describes the personnel changeover from conscientious objectors who served as smokejumpers during World War Two to military veterans who replaced them after the war ended. Brauer was in charge of the smokejumper program in...

Abstract Fred Rohrback discusses his time as a smokejumper for both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from 1965 to 1973. He compares jumping for the different organizations, as well as the differences between working at bases across the western United States and in Alaska. Rohrback describes training at Missoula, Montana, fire jump procedures, and let downs from tree landings. He also comments on some of the changes in the smokejumper program, including the advent...

Abstract

George Honey talks about the beginning of the smokejumper program and the experimentation on equipment and methods. He specifically discusses his friendship with Francis Lufkin, a pioneer smokejumper, and how the two of them ran the Winthrop, Washington base during World War Two. Honey describes preparing and dropping of cargo to the jumpers, as well as procedures for packing out.

Abstract

Hal Samsel talks about his career as a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana, from 1949 to 1965 and as the rigging loft foreman from 1966 to 1980. He talks about the aftermath of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire, the film Red Skies of Montana, and the changes to the smokejumper organization brought on by the civil rights movement.

Abstract Howard Beatty of Twisp, Washington, discusses his career as a smokejumper from 1948 until 1954, in Winthrop, Washington, Montana, and Cave Junction, Oregon. Beatty talks about participating in non-firefighting activities, such as trail maintenance, building lookouts, and other maintenance around bases. He points out the many changes in the smokejumper program since his time the 1940s, focusing mostly on equipment and procedure. Beatty also discusses Francis Lufkin, the manager of the North...

Abstract

Jim Lindell discusses the three summers he worked as a smokejumper out of McCall, Idaho, from 1964 to 1966. He recalls experiences from training, jumping, and socializing as a smokejumper, particularly in Idaho City, Idaho. Lindell also discusses the transition from smokejumping to the military.