Founded in 1990, the Forest Fire Lookout Association is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of wildland fire lookouts and their legacy. Through its chapters and members, FFLA does this through research, education, and support of lookout restoration, staffing for fire detection or historical interpretation, and other alternative uses. FFLA works with land management and resource protection agencies, as well as other public groups and nonprofits to support the understanding, enjoyment, and use of lookouts while also furthering the research of current and former lookout sites, ground cabins, and early fire detection methods.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission Statement
Our mission is to preserve lookouts and their legacy. We do this through research, education, and support of lookout restoration, staffing for fire detection or historical interpretation, and other alternative uses.
Vision
FFLA will become the recognized “go-to” source for information on fixed point fire detection lookout structures, current and past. The Association will be a recognized, effective advocate for the effectiveness and viability of the human factor in the fixed point fire detection function, not only in the past, but in the present day.
Values
We recognize and value the various regional approaches to our mission and vision throughout the country and with our international partners.
We value the passion, energy and willingness of our members and partners as they use their resources in pursuit of our common objectives.
Recent lookout news …
UI graduate students develop website that explores fire lookout system
Website developed by University of Idaho graduate students explores the state’s historic, yet also modern, fire lookout system:
https://www.dnews.com/stories/ui-graduate-students-develop-website-that-explores-fire-lookout-system-page_224
Black Mountain Lookout: The Best View In The Bighorns Has Seen Better Days
The 84-year-old Black Mountain Fire Lookout sits at an elevation of 9,400 feet and offers a spectacular panoramic view of Wyoming’s northern Bighorns. Although it’s been boarded up for decades, the Forest Service is hoping it can be fixed and opened to the public:
https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/11/09/black-mountain-lookout-the-best-view-in-the-bighorns-has-seen-better-days/
Legendary Lookout Retires
It was the end of an era when legendary lookout “Lightning Bill” Austin finished his career September 20th after 34 seasons on central Washington lookouts, the last thirty on Goat Peak and Leecher Mountain overlooking the Methow Valley. Two area publications featured Bill:
https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nwmagazine/wa-fire-spotter-lightning-bill-isliterally-stepping-down-from-his-post/ and
https://methowvalleynews.com/2024/08/29/lightning-bill-comes-in-fromthe-storms/
Last of the Lookouts
Canadian Geographic recently featured one of the last remaining staffed lookouts in British Columbia:
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/last-of-the-lookouts/
The history hidden in the new lives of fire lookouts
Several FFLA members were quoted in this story on avenues to preserve a dwindling number of the historical fire lookout structures:
https://montanafreepress.org/2024/09/26/the-history-hidden-in-the-new-lives-offire-lookouts/
Life in the Sky: History of Fire Lookouts
Northwest Montana Lookout Association members worked with
Montana Senior News for this story:
https://www.montanaseniornews.com/life-in-the-sky-history-of-fire-lookouts/
Top of the world: Idaho Fire Lookouts project traces the legacy of forest fire spotters
The Idaho Fire Lookouts project, led by Cat House and Billy Cooter, was highlighted in this feature story:
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jul/05/top-of-the-world-idaho-fire-lookouts-project-trace/
50 Years atop Stratton Mountain
Hugh and Jean Joudry tell about 50 years on a Vermont mountaintop:
https://youtu.be/XoelJudJqAc?si=YFB7HNip-8-DAMJ8
Technology can detect wildfires. Do humans still have to?
An article from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation discusses the role of fire lookouts in our increasingly technology-obsessed world. The key paragraph of the story is something many in the US need to hear: “Last year, Alberta tested six systems that used a combination of cameras, sensors, AI and machine learning, to detect wildfires. The human lookout beat out all the tech for the highest detection rate.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/fire-tower-lookouts-wildfires-technology-detection-human-response-better-1.7186030
Behind the scenes: New Jersey’s Blue Anchor Fire Tower in Camden County
One of New Jersey Forest Fire Service’s twenty-one fire towers:
America’s Fire Spotters Aren’t Ready to Fade Away Just Yet
New York Times Reporter Raymond Zhong and Photographer Mark Felix visited the Flathead National Forest and hiked through miles of Montana backcountry to spend some time at Thoma Lookout with FFLA’s Leif Haugen. They did a great article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/climate/wildfire-lookouts-fire-towers.html
Contact Us
Membership questions:
fflatreas@gmail.com
Lookout-related questions:
Ask any lookout-related question!
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Webmaster:
Use Form Above, attn:Webmaster in Comment section
Lookout Discussion Group:
Join the FFLA’s e-mail discussion group for lookout enthusiasts, now in its third decade! https://groups.io/g/firelookout