Subscribe Now! National Geographic Magazine $15
Visit our Online Shops

Sign up for free

Newsletters

Once a month
get new photos
and expert tips.

Russian Smokejumper, Siberia, Russia, 2002

Photo: Russian Smokejumper

A Russian smokejumper leaps from an Antonov An-2 biplane to battle wildfires in a Siberian forest.

Every summer 4,000 smokejumpers from Avialesookhrana, Russia's aerial forest protection service, patrol two billion acres (809 million hectares) of the largest coniferous forest in the world extinguishing thousands of the region's 20,000 to 35,000 annual wildfires.

(Photo shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Russian Smokejumpers, " August 2002, National Geographic magazine)

Photograph by Mark Thiessen

Special Advertising Section

Photo: Punta Allen

Mexico via Pacifico

Find unusual vacation spots and journey through Mexico.

Photo: Caernarfon Castle in Wales

Photo Contest

Download a game widget and enter to win!

Photo Tip of the Week

Foreground Framing

Quite often, foreground elements are low to the ground. You may have to squat or lie down to get them properly placed in the frame.

More Photo Tips

New Photo Books From National Geographic

Photo: Planet Ocean book cover

Own the latest images from our world-renowned photographers!

Photography Guides

Photo: Ultimate Field Guide book cover

Guides by National Geographic photographers.