smokejumper

[ smohk-juhm-per ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of smokejumper¹

First recorded in 1925–30; smoke + jumper ¹

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times

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

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

Although it’s one of the smaller smokejumper bases, a posting there is among the more coveted because it’s considered the birthplace of this daring wildfire fighting technique.

From Seattle Times