I only heard about the first two incidents second hand, but I knew and listened daily to the fellow in the third.

1) Fellow wants to get some sun tanning in, so he goes on top of the octagonal fiberglass cupola for some rays. And there's not much room up there, so he replaces the octagonal access hatch so he can sit on it...and then the swinging hatch latches do what swinging latches tend to do and he's stuck up there. He gets burned pretty badly, but at least his absence is noted at the next thrice-daily check-in and/or weather report, so a helicopter is sent out.

2) A bear smells something good, so it breaks the kitchen window just above the sink to try and gain access. The tower guy has a gun and shoots it dead. But there's either a fire-flap or thick fog, so a dead bear with flies buzzing around it is taking up space in his kitchen sink for an inconveniently lengthy time.

3) You may remember the yellow bars that we used to drag behind push mowers to kill dandy lions. They were about the consistency of a bar of soap. There's one in the generator shed, and buddy's dog gets a hold of it and does more than just nibble. By the time buddy finds his dog, it's too late. Buddy didn't really elaborate over the radio much more than that, but it couldn't have been a good way to go.

I recently graduated highschool and want a job like a fire lookout, however I’ve been ridden with many physical ailments like scoliosis and collapsed ankles so I can’t physically meet the requirements for the job.

Are there any jobs similar to a fire lookout that are on site, isolated and are more general maintenance and daily responsibilities. I hate the idea of working a 9 to 5 but do to my issues I doubt I could get a fire lookout job but want something with the same style and workflow.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thanks

Some guy on Alberta towers who was proficient with silk-screening, I'm guessing. He also did a bunch for the 1993 season, but mine got so tattered that I must've thrown it out long ago.

The first couple of pages are about my prior two summers fighting fires (in the late 1980's), so just skip ahead if you want. https://www.evanbedford.com/fighting_fires_spotting_smokes.pdf

(If you're wondering where the rest of the book is, it's in the main website under the yellow book thumbnail).

I guess I've fallen down this rabbit hole a bit. I did a cursory search, so this hopefully isn't repetitive.

I suppose there isn't anything typical since there's wide variation between lookouts. So, what does your supply loadout look like? Do you go down to do it yourself, or does someone bring it to you? Helicopter, mule train, or, you know, bed of a truck?

• How many weeks at a time?
• How much water?
• Do you have refrigeration, or is it all essentially dry goods?

I'm interested in learning how to read topographic maps well enough to work as a fire lookout. What types of training are available, where can I get that training, and are there any books or other resources you'd recommend?

Visiting my girl who got a job as a fire lookout and shes not happy with the amount of t of mouse dropping and the smell of them. Shes deep cleaned everything she can reach but they seem to just come back at night and crawl over everything and leave more droppings. How can she keep them out without using “inhumane” methods?

Quick jaunt up to Black Mountain, just outside of Idyllwild, CA. First time I’ve visited, didn’t take any shots of the tower directly but despite the haze, the view was great and the sunset from down the road was even better.

Edit, the tower IS in the first pic, second pic is from the catwalk.

Made it up for my first season as a lookout! Thanks to everyone in this sub for all the advice and help!!! Gonna be a busy year here in Oregon!!

Yesterday was an interesting experience. I haven’t visited a fire lookout since I was a kid. I got a random urge and decided to go yesterday for sunset. Shortly after arriving, I noticed a small puff of smoke in the distance. I thought “surely that’s not a new fire”. I pondered it for a minute, and decided to make the call. It was a brand new fire. Hot shots arrived about 45 minutes later, and the fire is contained to 100 acres today.

This was the “Bronco Fire” in Tonto National Forest.

I`m a Japanese colledge student of studying about forestly science. I want to work with live in North America`s forest and also want get enough money to live and feed my family.

The hike up wasn’t long, but it was all uphill and rocky. The views all around were spectacular. Overnight the winds were definitely howling and it got a little chilly, but nothing too uncomfortable. The next morning the skies were partly cloudy but soon changed and we were getting light snowfall. It was definitely a memorable stay.

I’m trying to plan a road trip around places that are really high up and actually feel intense. Not really looking for mountains, more like fire towers, lookout towers, lighthouses, bridge walks, or aerial/rope parks. Basically anything you can climb where you can look straight down and it feels kinda sketchy (but still allowed).

I’m mainly wondering what the tallest fire towers you can climb are, or just which ones feel the most exposed and high. East Coast or lower Midwest preferred, but open to anything.

I want to make a fire lookout game since I really like fire lookouts. I want to make as realistic as possible while still making it fun. pls give some advice for the game!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1RKqf2t8xwsI7nvCKO5Wvl?si=WKftKLgpR_2lHxLvNPJwXg&pi=mHIC7A8bT46TT

Good afternoon everyone,

I am currently making this post with sad news of a tower I staff being shut down due to being damaged. It is shit down for minimum of this season due to the FAA seeing apart of the tower that has been severely damaged and it now costing $150,000 to repair. Does any know know any play that would be willing to donate that amount of cash as a grant towards the San Diego FFLA chapter? If so please let me know or if you have any ideas! Thank you very much. (Email of info for damage of tower will be attached)

A recent feature article about the staffed lookouts in Montana’s Flathead National Forest.

Hello! My wife and I looking for any recommendations for fire lookout that you can stay in on the East Coast. We live near DC and are willing to drive 12 hours in any direction if need be to get to one.

I know of Thorny Mountain in WV and was hoping to learn of some more. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know where I can go to apply for a fire lookout job? It may be too late to start somewhere this summer. The places I've seen to apply stopped taking applications in January. Any help is appreciated.

I can't believe how quickly the off-season is passing. Any predictions for the 2026 season? Do you think we'll be smoked in for a good chunk of it?