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

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    01

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    A smokejumper unzips from his Kevlar landing suit.
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    02

    A 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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    03

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    Smokejumpers check the vitals of volunteer Cam Mooney during a medical training exercise.
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    04

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    A smokejumper parachutes into a clearing on Slate Mountain, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
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    05

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    A smokejumper makes a safe landing in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
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    06

    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.
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    07

    The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cuts a firebreak into manzanita brush.

    The Shasta Lake hotshot crew cutting a fire line.
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    08

    The 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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    09

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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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    11

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    Fire retardant chemical splashes the ground at Redding's air tanker base.
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    12

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    Mannequins model gear at the Redding smokejumper base.
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    Finlay MacKay for WIRED
    13

    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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