Smokejumpers

Abstract Albert Cramer discusses his 30-year career, which began in 1943, as a smokejumper and program administrator in Missoula, Montana, and Alaska. He talks about the training and equipment, as well as the changes to both. He describes specific jumps and fires, including the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire and the 1949 jump onto the White House lawn. Cramer contrasts working with the U.S. Forest Service as a smokejumper in Montana with working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a smokejumper in...

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Ashley Court discusses his long career as a smokejumper from 1963 to 1982, working out of the North Cascades Smokejumping Base in Winthrop, Washington, as well as the satellite base in La Grande, Oregon, eastern states, and Alaska. He talks about the fires in Washington and Oregon during his tenure, the changes in equipment, and his experiences jumping with Canadians and Russians.

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Aubrey Garber describes his serving as a smokejumper during World War Two because of his conscientious objector status. He talks about the training and the Japanese fire bomb threat. Garber also recalls designing the smokejumpers emblem, working a lookout after breaking his hand, and surveying in Oregon. He shares his experiences working in the backcountry.

Abstract Bill Moody talks about being involved in the smokejumper program from 1957 until the date of the interview in 1984. He describes his roles at two different smokejumping bases, both as a smokejumper and as an administrator. Moody talks about working as a smokejumper, trainer, and squad leader at La Grande, Oregon, from 1957 to 1965, before transferring to the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, where he became base manager in 1972. He also discusses his experiences...

Abstract Bill Moody talks about being involved in the smokejumper program from 1957 until the date of the interview in 1984. He describes his roles at two different smokejumping bases, both as a smokejumper and as an administrator. Moody talks about working as a smokejumper, trainer, and squad leader at La Grande, Oregon, from 1957 to 1965, before transferring to the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, where he became base manager in 1972. He also discusses his experiences...

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Charles Nyquist describes the 13 seasons he worked as a smokejumper, from 1954 to 1972. He discusses the training and facilities at the Missoula, Montana base, the role of the spotter, and his jumps in Yellowstone National Park. He also recalls one experience when he was in a Ford Tri-motor airplane that lost an engine.

Abstract Chuck Sheley compares his eight years (1959-1966) smokejumping from Cave Junction, Oregon, with his four years (1966-1970) jumping from McGrath and Fairbanks, Alaska. He describes how a small base like Cave Junction promotes a tight sense of camaraderie unlike larger bases. Sheley discusses how differences in terrain and climate impact in different regions of the United States impact regular smokejumper activities such as firefighting, let downs, and packouts. He also compares the U.S....

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David Flaccus describes his experiences as a smokejumper during World War Two from 1943 through 1945 through the Civilian Public Service program (CPS). He discusses training at Seeley Lake, Montana, fire jumps in Idaho, the financial problems experienced by the conscientious objectors, and the moral obligation they felt to succeed as smokejumpers.

Abstract Deanne Shulman discusses being the first female smokejumper at the McCall, Idaho base from 1981 until 1984. She talks about the difficulties she faced as a woman jumper, such as feeling like she needed to prove herself to her male colleagues. Shulman tells of the camaraderie of the jumpers regardless of sex, due in part to the physically demanding nature of the training. She shares experiences on fire jumps and describes how she fought to change the height and weight requirements for...

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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.