Smokejumpers

Provides information on the men and women who risk their lives daily by extinguishing wildfires by placing themselves in the heart of the fire.

Describes the dangerous job of a smokejumper, including schooling, training, safety, and equipment.

Looks at the history, equipment, training, and work of smokejumpers, the fire fighters who parachute into wildfires burning in areas that are otherwise hard to reach.

This is the story of Civilian Public Service smokejumpers, who battled against dangerous winds, searing heat, and devastating fires from 1943 until 1945. Fewer than 300 World War II conscientious objectors served their country in this fashion, operating out of CPS bases in Montana, Idaho, and Oregon. But that small band of men helped to keep alive Forest Service operations in the Pacific Northwest and thus sustained a program to fight potentially crippling fires. When the war ended, CPS smokejumpers, like millions of World War II combat soldiers, were "ushered out" of wartime service. Some, like many returning GIs, encountered difficulties in adjusting to civilian life. Nevertheless, the one-time smokejumpers often went on to make other remarkable contributions to their communities, their nation, and the world.

When a major fire breaks out in the forest, itÕs time for the experts to go to work. In this ebook, curious readers can first learn how Smokejumpers prepare to fight dangerous forest fires. Then they can go on an exciting ride along to see how these brave people work to put out fires and keep people safe.

A bolt of lightning creates a spark that instantly turns a tree into a ball of flames. The fire quickly spreads in the remote forest. Overhead, specially trained firefighters leap out of a plane into the forest. They carefully tug on their parachute straps to avoid the blaze and the rising smoke. After landing, the smoke jumpers immediately get to work battling the giant fire. In Smoke Jumpers, dramatic, true stories will keep readers turning the pages as they learn firsthand how these tough, brave firefighters use their strength, quick thinking, and expert skills to battle deadly blazes. In addition, readers will go behind the scenes to learn how smoke jumpers train for their job so that they are ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

Smokejumpers have chosen a career that calls for them to run into places that others are told to run away from. These brave people parachute into forest fires to battle dangerous blazes. Readers discover what it takes to follow this career path through exciting text, a clear graphic organizer, and eye-catching fact boxes. Vibrant photographs of smokejumpers at work show reader the danger and thrill of this career up close. What kind of training is needed in order to become a smokejumper? Readers will enjoy finding the answers to this and many more questions about smokejumpers.