Why You Should Stay in a Fire Tower on Your Next Trip

Most do not have water or electricity and require you to bring your own supplies. Think of staying in a fire tower lookout as an alternative to camping. It's affordable for the entire family, and the proceeds go back to our forest service. ... Fire towers are easy to book online, and travel time to access can be short.

Do people still use Firewatch towers?
Can you sleep in fire towers?
Do Firewatch towers have bathrooms?
How far can you see from a fire tower?
Is fire lookout a real job?
Can you have a dog as a fire lookout?
How much does it cost to build a fire lookout tower?
How do you stay in the fire tower?
How do I book a fire lookout in Montana?
Do fire towers get struck by lightning?
What replaced fire towers?
How tall is the Henryville Fire Tower?

Do people still use Firewatch towers?

In California alone, some 250 lookout towers and cabs were built by CCC workers between 1933 and 1942. ... Today, some fire lookout towers remain in service, because having human eyes being able to detect smoke and call in the fire report allows fire management officials to decide early how the fire is to be managed.

Can you sleep in fire towers?

Located in Northern California's Plumas National Forest, this tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1934. ... Overnight guests can use the two single beds in the lookout or camp in the single campsite adjacent to the tower. The lookout is one of the few with electricity.

Do Firewatch towers have bathrooms?

In fact, there's no bathroom to be found. Historic fire lookouts never had them, and Tompkins and Colley didn't want to obstruct their 360-degree view of the Umpqua National Forest.

How far can you see from a fire tower?

Answers: Tower -- 35.7 km, Airplane -- 369 km, Space Shuttle -- 1,919 km. In the real atmosphere, other factors limit the visibility of distant objects. From a tall building on a clear day, you can see mountains as far away as about 100 miles.

Is fire lookout a real job?

First off, in the US we use the term "fire lookouts" for the lookout buildings, as well as the people who work in them. ... Most are operated by the U.S. Forest Service, with a smaller number operated by the Park Service and the BLM.

Can you have a dog as a fire lookout?

Depending on the tower, you are allowed to bring pets. When filling in your search parameters on Recreation.gov simply check “pets allowed” to find pet friendly tower options. ... Over the years our dogs and friend's dogs have gotten used to it but now as they get older we try to find towers that aren't as high up.

How much does it cost to build a fire lookout tower?

Each tower will cost about $300,000 a pop, but in DCNR Fire Division Chief Mike Kern's eyes, it's worth the price. “If you can prevent even one fire from getting large, you pay for the fire towers,” Kern said.

How do you stay in the fire tower?

Most fire towers do not have electric or plumbing. The majority have a nearby pit toilet that you can use, but some require you to pack out your waste. Most lookouts prohibit indoor cooking, but provide a cooking pit below the tower. You may need to secure a parking permit and/or fire permit.

How do I book a fire lookout in Montana?

Reservations are made through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) at the Recreation.gov site. The daily rental rate for each cabin or lookout is listed in the directory. Reservations can be made with a major credit card.

Do fire towers get struck by lightning?

This tower is well grounded so most of the energy gets safely diverted. When lightning does get close, all electronics are shut off. And, in the center of the lookout, is a chair with glass insulated legs clear of any metal objects. ... A large boom that shakes the tower and a blinding flash signals a strike hit the tower.

What replaced fire towers?

For more than a hundred years, the Forest Service has relied on lookouts, whose job it is to spot wildfires before they get big. But they're increasingly being replaced by satellites, remote cameras, also drones.

How tall is the Henryville Fire Tower?

July 19, 1930: "Every one is invited to visit the fire tower which overlooks the counties of Clark, Floyd, Washington and Scott. The fire tower was erected on the highest knob in the forest and has an elevation of 1,080 feet.