smokejumping
SMOHK-jump-ing
Definition
The specialized practice of parachuting into remote, roadless wilderness areas to suppress wildfires in their early stages.
Etymology
The word is a compound formed from 'smoke,' referring to the plumes of wildfire, and 'jumping,' referring to the act of parachuting into the target area. It originated in the United States in the late 1930s when the U.S. Forest Service first tested the concept of using paratroopers for fire suppression.
In the news
The article uses the term to define the core mission of federal firefighters who parachute into backcountry terrain to prevent small sparks from becoming major catastrophes. It frames the job as a rigorous, ritualistic profession that is currently facing significant political and budgetary uncertainty.
Smokejumpers: They Jump Out of Planes to Fight Wildfires
Read the full article ↗Gadget Review