Sack of Potatoes Destroys Wood Stove

Stories from the historic Siskiyou Smokejumper Base, Cave Junction, Oregon

In the summer of 1949, several smokejumpers from the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base at Cave Junction were sent to help put out fires started by lightning in a remote part of the Sierra Mountains near Porterville, California. Soon after their arrival, the fire became large enough that several crews of fire fighters were sent by ground to help control the blaze. These crews set up an elaborate camp where fire fighters could go to eat and rest. Soon, the smokejumpers from Cave Junction were sent there to have dinner.

Perhaps the most unexpected thing they saw was a full sized iron stove that had been packed in by mules and assembled at the camp.

While they stood marveling at the steaming pots and pans heated by a glowing fire inside of the stove they heard a supply plane approaching and looked up to see several parachutes open with packages that drifted slowly to the ground. One of these was a large sack of potatoes that floated into camp and landed on the stove knocking pots, pans and embers everywhere.

One of the fire fighters standing near by mused in a loud voice for all to hear, “maybe next time they should drop the potatoes in the field and let the cook put them in the pot".

Crew in Porterville before jump.
Paul Block third person crouching from left. Ford Trimotor airplane.

References
Paul Block, former smokejumper. 2005. Interview

Story retold by Roger Brandt

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