Jun 3, 2015 7:00 AM

Gallery: Join a Team of Elite Firefighters as They Prep for Hell

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A smokejumper unzips from his Kevlar landing suit.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A smokejumper makes a safe landing during a training exercise in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
A smokejumper makes a safe landing.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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Smokejumpers check the vitals of volunteer Cam Mooney during a medical training exercise.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A smokejumper parachutes into a clearing on Slate Mountain, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A smokejumper makes a safe landing in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.
A member of the Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a line through manzanita brush.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.
The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cutting a fire line.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.
Shasta Lake hotshots practice clearing brush in anticipation of fire season.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A friendly reminder from Smokey Bear graces a tank containing fire retardant.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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CalFire plane gets serviced after land at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest air tanker base.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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Fire retardant chemical splashes the ground at Redding's air tanker base.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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Mannequins model gear at the Redding smokejumper base.

Finlay MacKay for WIRED
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A view of the hangar at the Northern operations center.
Forest Service aircraft in the hangar at the Redding operations center.

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