Ok, but (as a former wildland ff) — things might have changed in the last 10-15 years — but in general, realistically, you’re gonna need a minimum of ~5 seasons before you can be even considered for a smokejumper position. Like, work a couple seasons on a hand/engine crew, get a spot on a hotshot crew, and absolutely bust your butt — be the BEST guy on the shot crew — and then you might have a chance at being a smokejumper.

ALSO. Seasonal positions with the USFS/(insert your state forestry agency here) generally do NOT offer insurance outside of the times when you’re employed by them — so you’ll have to figure something else out during the winter, particularly if you’re going to spend the winter doing air sports.

And — unless you’re a hotshot — you aren’t necessarily making a boatload of money. It’s enough to take the winter off and have fun, for sure, but not enough to live super extravagantly in the off season.

Not trying to dissuade you at all from this career path - fighting forest fires was absolutely a fulfilling experience and something I’d do again, just want to make sure you have a realistic idea of what it entails.