How we help

Wildland firefighting in general, and especially smokejumping, is a hazardous job. Wildland firefighting is among one of the most hazardous jobs in the United States. In addition to hazards on duty, wildland firefighters face a dramatically higher rate of job-related cancers and other illnesses than the general public. Smokejumpers in particular face added challenges and potential for injury due to rough-terrain jumping and the remote nature of the fires they fight. The mission of the West Yellowstone Smokejumper (WYS) Welfare Fund is simple: to be there to support smokejumpers and other wildland firefighters, no matter who, when they need it the most.

The WYS Welfare Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit started by the smokejumpers at West Yellowstone to cover costs not covered by conventional workers’ compensation: equipment and additional physical therapy, travel costs for family and loved ones of the affected, lost overtime wages that wildland firefighters depend on to make ends meet, and funeral-related expenses. All smokejumpers at West Yellowstone pay annual dues into the fund to help make this possible, but to meet the needs of the wildland fire community, the Welfare Fund Relies on donations, both of money and of products from local and national retailers for the Fund’s annual raffle, held in September of each year. These gifts allow the Fund to continue to fulfill its mission and be there when America’s firefighters need it the most.