Gallery: Join a Team of Elite Firefighters as They Prep for Hell
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A smokejumper unzips from his Kevlar landing suit.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED02A smokejumper makes a safe landing during a training exercise in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
A smokejumper makes a safe landing.
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Smokejumpers check the vitals of volunteer Cam Mooney during a medical training exercise.
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A smokejumper parachutes into a clearing on Slate Mountain, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
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A smokejumper makes a safe landing in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED06The 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 WIRED07The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.
The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cutting a fire line.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED08The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.
Shasta Lake hotshots practice clearing brush in anticipation of fire season.
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A friendly reminder from Smokey Bear graces a tank containing fire retardant.
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CalFire plane gets serviced after land at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest air tanker base.
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Fire retardant chemical splashes the ground at Redding's air tanker base.
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Mannequins model gear at the Redding smokejumper base.
Finlay MacKay for WIRED13A view of the hangar at the Northern operations center.
Forest Service aircraft in the hangar at the Redding operations center.
