: Remote Automated Weather Station. These stations, strategically located throughout the U. S., monitor the weather and provide data that assists land management agencies with a variety of projects such as monitoring air quality, rating fire danger and providing information for research applications.

The Forest Service has managed wildfires for more than 100 years and is considered the best wildland fire organization in the world. As leaders, we are continually striving to gain a better understanding of fire behavior with cutting edge research and technology. Sharing our expertise through international exchange programs is critical to advancing natural resource protection and wildland fire techniques worldwide. Read more »

USDA Forest Service Smokejumpers are trained to climb trees in case they, or their supplies, land in them. When Smokejumpers aren’t fighting wildfires, the USDA Forest Service calls on them to use their tree climbing skills to complete a variety of natural resource management projects, such as harvesting pine cones and constructing owl nesting boxes.

While many USDA Forest Service employees spend their summers working as Smokejumpers fighting wildfires in the west, they in turn spend their falls in the east working as Beetle Busters, helping the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) combat the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). Read more »

The last three living original members of the nation’s first African-American smokejumpers crew have been honored at USDA Forest Service Headquarters. The “Triple Nickles” were from the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion and were trained by the Forest Service to put out forest fires in the Northwest during the summer of 1945. Combat-ready, the “Triple Nickles” served a unique, secret assignment called “Operation Firefly.”

“These highly skilled paratroopers used their military training in a different kind of combat few people were aware of,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “Fighting the fires that had the potential to do great harm to the nation in a time of war was dangerous, important work. We are extremely pleased to honor them at our national headquarters for their heroic service to the Agency and the nation making more than 1,200 individual jumps during the summer of 1945.”

The Triple Nickles served in more airborne units, in peace and war, than any other parachute group in history. The 555th paved the way for African-American soldiers to become part of the prestigious 82nd Airborne Division, when the triple Nickles were absorbed into the 82nd Airborne in 1947.  The 555 Parachute Infantry Association located in Tampa, Florida was founded in 1979 to keep alive the legacy of the Triple Nickles.  There are more than 1,000 members in 28 Triple Nickles chapters. For more information, visit:  www.triplenickles.com.

Walter Morris a former 1st Sgt of the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment Smoke Jumpers, speaks with Deputy Chief for Business Operations, U. S. Forest Service Chuck Myers. The Smoke Jumpers visited the the Forest Service on March 26, 2010 in Washington, D. C.

Former members of the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiment Smoke Jumpers, L to R Sergeant Clarence H. Beavers, National Triple Nickles Association President Joe Murchison, Smokey Bear, First Sergeant Walter Morris and Lt. Col Roger S. Walden. The Smoke Jumpers visited the U. S. Forest Service in Washington, D. C., on March 26, 2010.

By: USDA Forest Service Office of Communication