SUN NEWS REPORT
Silver City Sun-News (New Mexico)

A Forest Service smokejumper sustained injuries during a practice jump Monday morning on the Gila National Forest.

The incident occurred at 9:20 a.m. Monday at Farm Flat, a "jump spot" normally used for practice jumps, about 15 miles north of Silver City.

The smokejumper landed in a tree on the edge of the jump spot. As he was setting up to rappel 20 feet to the ground, the parachute, which was being used as an anchor, gave way and the smokejumper then fell to the ground.

He was initially transported to Gila Regional Medical Center, then later in the day transferred to Thomason General Hospital in El Paso, for further evaluation of his injuries.

Firefighters continue to manage a number of lightning-caused fires in the Gila. After light rains over the weekend, fire activity was picking up Tuesday, with hot, dry air coming into the area. Twelve smokejumpers are scheduled to begin a firing operation today on the Diamond Fire that will prevent the fire from spreading into the area around Main Diamond Creek.

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june 17, 2009