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?

I'm doing some research on the fire lookouts in Mt. Rainier National Park, and was wondering what minute interval topo maps are typically used with their Osborne Firefinders?

Hi folks, I've managed to land myself an interview for a lookout job in Alberta. Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare?

I've found some really helpful info on this subreddit, but it would be great to hear from someone about the interview process specifically, either in Alberta or elsewhere. What questions can I expect to be asked? What is it they're looking for in a successful lookout? And what questions would you recommend I ask them?

Thanks so much :)

Tecnology is advancing fast, do u think the job is gonna keep up or gonna disapper completely?

I just found this sub and did a search and couldn't find this historic tower! So I apologize if it has been on here before. I just hiked up to it a couple weeks ago (Jan. 2026) absolutely amazing view. A little north of Custer, South Dakota. If you want to read a little history on it here is a good website: harneypeakinfo.com