Who’s got the
coolest job? “I do,” said the
smokejumper. “I do,” said the
area command team member. “I do,” said the
former firefighter who now gets to talk about those adventures.
On Saturday, Oct.
18, the Department of the Interior hosted, “Smokejumpers, Groundpounders and ‘Shots
– Tales from Wildland Fire.” People heard (mostly) true stories from folks who
have been out there on the fireline.
As soon
as the smokejumper finished suiting up, the cameras started clicking. “We jump a fire small to keep it small.” The fact that he stood there, intact, to tell
of his work was testimony of how carefully he stepped out airplanes and faced
flames. Flying with two parachutes is a great way to see the world, he added. He has quite the, “office.” http://www.blm.gov/nifc/st/en/prog/fire/fireops/people_in_fire/smokejumpers.html
For
larger, more complex fires, special teams are called upon. Keeping the firefighters and public safe is
always the first priority, said the area command team member. With that, it’s crucial we determine for each
fire the best ways to manage it. How do
we balance risks and benefits? Suppress
it as soon as safely possible? Monitor
it until the snow flies? Or, some of
both? At this summer’s Lehardy Fire in
Fortunately,
we’ve come a long way from the bad old days of no training, no standards, and
only one option – put the fire out. One firefighter – “mopshot,” not hotshot -
started way back then. She recently gave
up her fire rake for the thrills of talking with reporters to help people
better understand fire. She’s still kind
to her brothers and sisters out on the fireline, though. As a homeowner she knows when fire season is
in her part of the world, and makes sure she does the yard work that helps protect
her home and her friends. http://www.firewise.org/
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