ScienceJuly 7, 2026
smokejumper
/ˈsmoʊkˌdʒʌmpər/
Definition
A highly trained firefighter who travels by parachute to remote, otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas to suppress wildfires.
Etymology
A compound noun formed from 'smoke' (referencing forest fires) and 'jumper' (a person who jumps, here by parachute). The term originated in the United States in the late 1930s to describe this specialized aerial firefighting unit.
In the news
The article mentions smokejumpers as part of the historical US Forest Service fire suppression strategy. It also notes the tragic loss of life among these firefighters in 1949, which served as a catalyst for increased federal research into fire behavior.
Megafires, Land Use, and Climate Change
Read the full article ↗The Equation - Union of Concerned Scientists