smokejumper

American  

[smohk-juhm-per] / ˈsmoʊkˌdʒʌm pər /

noun

1. a firefighter who parachutes to forest fires inaccessible to ground crews.

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Etymology

Origin of smokejumper

First recorded in 1925–30; smoke + jumper ¹

Example Sentences

Forest Service is looking to hire a smokejumper, a person who parachutes out of a rickety airplane to wrangle wildfires that break out far from roads or rivers.

From Seattle Times

That smokejumper position up in Alaska, for instance, would see a 30% raise — from $18.06 to $23.48 an hour.

From Seattle Times

A bill that would accomplish these measures, named for the late Forest Service smokejumper Tim Hart, appears unlikely to pass this legislative session.

From Los Angeles Times

But Bergen, whose primary job is serving as wildfire officer for the Fort St. John Fire Zone, pointed to British Columbia’s size, large population and huge timber industry as reasons it maintains a smokejumper program that takes significant money and expertise — but can get to fires faster.

From Seattle Times

Nestled amid the outdoor beauty of Washington’s Methow Valley sits the renowned North Cascades Smokejumper Base.

From Seattle Times