S mokejumpers can spend their entire summer on fire assignments away from their home base. However, when not on fire assignments, smokejumpers maintain a high state of readiness. Daily work may include packing cargo boxes for fires, inspecting, repairing, and packing parachutes, equipment manufacturing and equipment maintenance for fire and other forest crews, fleet and facility maintenance, fire suppression training, and other miscellaneous jobs which keep them readily available for a quick fire response. Smokejumpers are also required to exercise daily and maintain a high level of physical fitness. W hen smokejumpers are not putting out wildfires, they are often involved with prescribed fire.
Fire is a natural and healthy part of good ecosystem management.
McCall Smokejumpers work with fire managers on planning and implementing prescribed fire to restore and maintain healthy forests and reduce the risks of dangerous wildfire. I f the fire season permits, smokejumpers assist in project work on local national forests and ranger districts. S mokejumpers are employed by the federal government. Although smokejumping often provides a career target or goal for many wildland firefighters, career opportunities are limited. Most smokejumpers are temporary or seasonal employees that work the fire season from June through September.