Rufus Robinson made the first parachute jump to control a forest fire in the United States on July 12, 1940 at Marten Creek in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness of the Nez Perce National Forest. He was one of the men that pioneered smokejumping.

This certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Forest Service was issued in 1984 recognizing his as being the first parachute jump to fight a forest fire.

Pioneer smokejumpers shown from left are: Rufus Robinson, Frank Derry and Earl Cooley.

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