Chance Buckman (John Wayne) is a fearless firefighter of oil fires. Despite loving him, his ex-wife Madelyn (Vera Miles) couldn't handle the danger associated with Chance's job. Tensions rise when their daughter Tish (Katharine Ross) marries Chance's trusted colleague Greg Parker (Jim Hutton). Despite the domestic drama and personal struggles, the excitement and danger of firefighting continue, with added complexity from Latin-American political intrigue.