We met Tom and DJ at Shady Oaks Campground in Orland, Maine last August and we've enjoyed visits along the way since then.
Wayne holding Lexie, Tom and DJ |
Here's some of what we saw:
Smokejumpers parachute into a wildfire with all this apparatus and gear. |
Personnel Lockers. There are currently 85 smokejumpers who work out of the Missoula Base. Their ages range from 20 to 50 years. |
The parachute hanging room. All chutes are numbered and hang onto the corresponding numbered hook for inspection. |
The job of the smokejumper is to suppress wildfires in the mountainous terrain of the western United States. This smokejumper is folding a parachute. Better that he not be distracted. |
From Alaska to New Mexico and from California to Wyoming, smokejumpers fight fires. These are packaged cargo chutes. |
Utilizing a fleet of fixed wing aircraft, including a Turbine DC-3, Twin Otter, and a Shorts Sherpa, firefighters can reach all parts of the country. |
The museum part of the Smokejumping Base at Missoula included a replica fire tower which I found to be especially interesting. I guess it's the homemaker in me!
This mounted circular map is a 1934 Osborne Firefinder. Readings from two lookouts determine the exact location of the fire. Today an infrared scanner automatically detects fire locations. |
Today's Fire Danger is at "Very High" |
And "Remember.... Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires"
... Smokey... da bear.
No comments:
Post a Comment