We got an early start and dropped Luna off at doggie daycare and took off for Missoula, about 100 miles to our south. In Montana, the major cause of fires is lightning strikes....most of the fires start in very remote areas, nowhere near roads. Smokejumping began in the late 1930's. The National Forest Service only sends these guys out for smaller fires; the big ones are too dangerous for this kind of operation.
This is a model of what they wear when they jump; kevlar jumpsuit, helmet with cage mask, daypack, let-down rope (they often land in trees), and it all weighs about 80 lbs. Yikes!
This is their sewing room where they can construct custom items they may need or repair their equipment. I could really identify with this set-up! :)
This is where the guys and gals head when an alarm sounds. Their names are on rosters and they know exactly who is where on the list to go up.
Parachutes hang in here to dry and get the lines untangled.
This is where the chutes are re-packed.
Smokejumpers only work in the summer, for obvious reasons. They have other jobs elsewhere in the off-season. They have to be in top physical shape for this job, since they can spend days in the wilderness digging fire trenches and hauling out their equipment. Their carry-out pack weighs up to 110 lbs. They had one there, and I could barely pull it across the floor.
Pre-packed boxes of supplies to last them for up to 2 weeks are dropped to them after they land safely.
We didn't get to go in the plane that takes them up....our guide says they are getting older and they like to keep them out of the rain.
Well, that's not very reassuring.
All in all, it was a really interesting tour, we'd recommend it to anyone passing through!
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