Missoula, MT is the location of the largest 'Smoke Jumper's' School, which offers tours to visitors. This tour deserved a full page explanation as it was so interesting. After Missoula we entered WA and stopped at Deer Park near Spokane, Liberty Lake for coach service and Ellensburg, which was a spur of the moment decision. This is near the Columbia River with all it's power and beauty.
Below is a picture of the room where the same men
construct their own parachutes. Note the long tables used in cutting and piecing together the material used in making the chutes. Another picture shows the sewing room where they are sewn together. When not on the ground fighting fires, they are at the training center making their own parachutes and protective gear.
Needless to say this was an exciting tour, although we
could not forget that what we were seeing were real men
getting ready to jump into a real forest fire some where, placing themselves in potentially very dangerous circumstances. Besides the fire, the summer heat wave was producing triple digit numbers, giving no relief anyone anywhere. We appreciate what they do for us!
Smokejumpers
This tour was great! These are the guys who fight the forest fires in the Western States. While touring the facility, an alarm sounded and suddenly we were aware of a great deal of activity. We stepped aside and watched while a group of about 20 men started suiting up and preparing to be airlifted out to a fire. It was amazing how much protective gear these guys had to put on. They had to carry in with them, and jump out of an airplane, into a forest fire area and be prepared to be there for a minimum of 3 days. When done they carry everything out again. When they jump from the planes they also drop all kinds of supplies to last at least three days. Above is a picture of the men suiting up and being airlifted to a fire. In the picture below men are boarding the plane to carry them to the site of the fire and jump.
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