Fire lookouts keep watch over threatened forests

There were once thousands of active fire lookout towers across the country; today, while many are automated, a few hundred are still staffed by people whose job is to watch for forest fires in remote, rugged areas, like Klamath National Forest, in California and Oregon. Correspondent Conor Knighton talks with two fire watchers who are scanning the skies.
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[@bpar73]

On road trips as a kid, whenver we drove by one of those fire lookouts, my Dad would always blurt out loud, "Did I ever tell you about the time I went up one of those?". Literally, every, single time he saw one, he would say that. It would be a game to see if me and my sisters could spot one before he did. We never did. RIP Dad!

[@patsylvest]

Sweet story. Thanks for sharing it.

[@ericunderwood8080]

Like that story...cool

[@maxwalsh234]

haha love that "dad" energy!!! such a sweet story

[@EzraSnow]

This is so wholesome, rip dad ❤️‍🔥😊

[@briangarrow448]

My ex’s grandfather was a fire lookout during the Great Depression in the Salmon Wilderness of Idaho.. He got to the lookout by mule and horse pack train. Said it was the best, and loneliest job he ever had.

[@isaacniceguy82]

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@CathyS_Bx]

Some of the TV shows I loved watching as a kid featured these lookout jobs. I was a city kid from the Bronx and yet I reveled in fantasies of being a lookout and living alone in a high tower!

[@smurfitoo1585]

Same here as a Spanish Harlem 90s kid I was always fascinated with the total opposite of the hood which was this and as a introvert this seems great until a fire actually happens

[@billm9709]

Worked a fire tower in WV for 9 years. It was the best job I ever had.

[@brucegelman5582]

Its Home...Amen

[@stevethomas7463]

Only a few can actually endure solitude without ever thinking about it.

[@SandyWolf-]

How cool that's a job for me I love the Forest and I wont get lonely!

[@lefthook2]

I'd love a job like that.

[@jeffnpatricia]

Sadly im constantly hearing about them being discontinued one by one.

[@suavecito3752]

Couldn't of put it better myself "I love this land, it's home." California love!

[@claimjumpers29]

An southern Oregon to!

[@suavecito3752]

@@claimjumpers29 right on brother!

[@boring.doerings]

I had the luxury of spending my whole summer at a fire lookout in Washington State on Grayback Mountain in the Simcoes. A summer of real life living the dream.

[@maxwalsh234]

hey man, could you tell me about the program you used to get out on the firewatch tower? I've been wanting to try it ever since Markiplier did a playthrough of the game "Firewatch" back in like 2016! I Need to go live with some trees I'm tired of this barren urban landscape!!!

[@dylanpeterson6192]

that one in the center of 2:47 looks pretty similar to the tower in "firewatch". Great game (loosely called a game, its more of a story than most modern games), I'd recommend anyone of any age to play it, or play as a family.

[@claymore4915]

What a dream job! 💙

[@duncanbleak3819]

A magnificent and essential job! Nice story.

[@ZachShock13]

I feel like Ms. King and I could find some trouble to get into, what a good spirit

[@msc8663]

This would be like a lighthouse keeper

[@knittingdoula]

Never thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right!

[@randalllaue4042]

Same premise...

[@Vex916T]

Nope, lighthouse keeper is way more dangerous because you can be stationed during winter months, have to endure coastal storms, and some locations you can only walk around the lighthouse but no further. Fire Lookout job is way safer, only done during fire season, and you can walk off into the nearby forest to enjoy the scenery.

[@randalllaue4042]

@@Vex916T no neighbor’s...

[@marvinmartion1178]

I have been wondering if we'll have any forests left to look over? As a carpenter I don't see all these fires allowing the price of lumber to come down. Burnt-out or clear-cut, they are heartbreaking to see!

[@Unknown_Ooh]

Lumber prices are to due to overinflation. Forest fires were a thing before any human stepped foot on North American soil and is a natural process. The reason why they are such a big deal these days is because the areas that used to naturally burn is full of civilization we are trying to protect.

[@stevyd]

The majority of the California Sierra Mountans forest lands belong to the US Forest Service. Their main goal was to save the forest for the lumber companies to harvest and only second for recreation or habitation. Generaly the land only became available for cabins or homes once it had been logged. To save the timber for harvest, fire prevention and suppression became the primary goals and Smokey Bear was a major tool for this. "Only you can prevent forest fires". Natural and healthy normal fires were entirely suppressed which only allowed the undergrowth to become dangerously overgrown, far too dense, and wildely flamible when lightning caused fires eventually started. The major CA. population centers are on the coast and more recently growing in the CA. Central Valley. Other than the I 80 corridor from Sacramento to Reno Nevada, the Sierra Mountain's population while growing, is small compared to other areas of California.

[@amosicronery7730]

I have seen only one in Tanzania. I would love to see it near Mara river where great migration happens every year. Wild beast and zebras crossing Mara river to Kenya and back searching for green pastures while crocodiles, lions, cheetahs, leopards scramble to get their meals. I am just imagining how great to Airbnb at the spot 5 days solar powered, heated water, wi-fi on 20 meters from ground.

[@ShoresRailfan]

In the summer of 1958, I was living in the town of Yreka, CA, not far from the Klamath National Forest. My uncle owned a propane gas business in town and would often ask me to help him out on various jobs. On one job we headed to Sawyer’s Bar and Cecilville where the US Forest Service had just erected a new fire lookout. I couldn’t help but think that the lookout in the video is the same one we serviced that day.

[@kcgunkerstein5061]

That is the same lookout. it says right down at the bottom of the stairs that it was built in 1958. It's the Eddy Gulch Lookout.

[@maxsdad538]

I lived in Yreka for many year, my family's lived there for almost 50. The area is a lot like Montana... without the grizzly.

[@rantoolio]

Thank you

[@kmbrly101]

We have several here in Oregon that you can rent for a night or two. They are the bare necessities and yes you have to hikin in to most but it's on my bucket list.

[@Vex916T]

Wish I could do this job, it would so peaceful and awesome to be alone with nature.

[@tiedeken1]

"when your looking for a lookout, what are you looking for" - reporter

[@forcesightknight]

Probably why they like to read script. Certainly no linguist that guy.

[@stevendelcarlo3294]

One of the best jobs I ever had was working at rustlers ridge fire tower in Jackson county Oregon rogue River national Forest

[@stevehammerich7121]

I’d love the job, as long as have my wood carving tools.

[@aragos32727]

Here in Florida all the fire lookout Towers look like they're ready to collapse on themselves. I guess they don't use them anymore

[@DansFunMovies]

My late Grandfather worked at a Fire Lookout Tower..

[@jamesburton1050]

Also looks like a great place to be a photographer!!

[@redjetsen1002]

Fire lookouts are closed in the NW. they used to call to smoke jumpers that attacked fires right away. I don't even know if smoke jumpers exist now.

[@taniaburton7559]

Yes. Smoke jumpers are still working. They come here (Big Bend) when needed in the nat'l park. Also Colorado, I believe.

[@marzsit9833]

not all lookouts in the pnw are closed, but few are staffed full-time. desolation peak in the north cascades is always staffed in the summer, there are a number of lookouts in eastern washington that are also staffed during the summer. but most are only staffed during high fire season.

[@redjetsen1002]

@@marzsit9833 where are the smoke jumpers that used to parachute in and hit them before they got big?

[@debbielwilliamson8546]

So interesting. Thank you for posting.

[@kevinlynch3588]

How does one apply? Is is job through the forest service?

[@bailysbeads2057]

I would also like to know

[@rikastrology]

Yes, apply online through usda.gov

[@andywagoner]

wow! this is what I want to do when I retire.

[@loveinthematrix]

I would create a music studio and then I would never have to worry about bothering my neighbors. That’s dope.

[@alanskinner7031]

Active fire lookouts are all but gone now! I think they should bring them back.

[@cougarcaterwaul4289]

Excellent video!!

[@sandbridgekid4121]

True Heroes

[@audrinamikolajczyk6962]

Hi my dad’s name is Kyle mikolajczyk and he’s on the news! Yayyyy

[@moonlitpearl700]

How do they get there? I would love a job like this.

[@marzsit9833]

it depends. some have access roads so you can drive to them, most have trails that you have to hike (and pack up all of your supplies including water), some are so remote the forest service lands lookouts and suplies by helicopter.

[@solarsoltice9075]

Good story. Former Fire Lookout, SW Oregon.

[@christinacascadilla4473]

Nice!

[@redbrick28studiosgaming67]

Literal dream job for me.

[@winkieblink7625]

Love that job.

[@wyatt3239]

Where do I sign up

[@ceooflonelinessinc.267]

I recommand to all of your Firewatch the game

[@beehear678]

Would you please give comments about your experience with this job.

[@shaunduffy5180]

Id live in that tower all year long!!!

[@ThePaleAnt747]

This looks super fun

[@MichaelandJennyVlog]

Fire Towers are really nice!! Chillicothe Ohio Fire Tower !! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoTGl6GtgLGki5I

[@jrsoto8284]

This place is my land and this is your land

[@forcesightknight]

I could get paid to hang in a OP all day and night. Firewatch is a essential job in the corps.

[@DogWhoFilms]

My K9 & I would be PERFECT FOR THIS

[@Mountains4ever]

This only sounds like the best job in the world.

[@cheezchris]

What a dream job, I would definately bring my pc rig there and install 360 degree long range camera with thermal smoke detector connected to an alarm and just play video games. Ahhhh

[@cynthiagonzales9131]

I'm seeing a Loki impersonator!!

[@DMEseter]

I mean cool job and much respect but we should have thermal vision drones that fly around constantly

[@HKim0072]

Still would need people to observe, maintain and service the drones. Likely, this is cheaper (for now).

[@conniewolf7300]

That would have been the job for me!

[@ZehoOriginality]

3:19 What are your thoughts on the TVA ?

[@Wetnapkin69]

Ive been to the top of a fire lookout with my buddies in idaho and we were shooting our guns off of the top of it. From there you can see parts of oregon Washington and Montana its fun to shoot guns off of it but its even more fun just to look at the beautiful sights.

[@OneKindWord]

We’re not lonely! Don’t come visit for that reason.

[@amandahirschfeld7382]

What a cool job that would be,truly God's country❤🙏

[@babayega1717]

No. They don't.

[@pedronemm]

PLEASE, the trees not so close to the houses. And in the woods to get a slog.....

[@makeitmakesense2616]

Some stories can be 3 mintues 40 seconds

[@drew8256]

Just need to add several hundred, fast response fire helicopters to get to the fires before they are too big to fight.

[@pamelawing626]

Oh sure, some of these fires were called in and ignored. They were either involved with other fires, it was too hard to get to so they let it burn.

[@thrustfrombehind9869]

That guy looks like loki and he'll make a sick Loki

[@lastofthemohicans1]

Sign me up!

[@way4708]

That a dream job

[@rickhall8119]

If California would allow the lumber industry to operate, there would be far less wildfires.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

TRUE !

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

Blame Gavin Newsome and the clowns who reelected him.

[@mattleofric1766]

Did a reddit nosleep story bring anyone else here?

[@stoundingresults]

I've noticed that 1 week after intense forest fires then comes a summer Rain. Wondering if the fires are on purpose. LA FIRES 2018 and last years. It came to my attention because I would think "Damn, if only this rain would of come by last week it would of helped out with the fires."

[@ericunderwood8080]

I was thinking the same...but it was just coincidence...I thought the same... we're to dry ..too perfect conditions...one wrong spark...whooosh

[@steveconn]

Angelina Jolie's movie was a nice depiction of this.

[@parisennis6242]

LOKI!!!!

[@juanvelasquez7067]

Poish .= Police you asking the Wong person for poish

[@lillypod1337]

Start flying drones over campsites, send rangers to the campers and monitor names/dates. A fire breaks out, we will all exactly know who and where at what time. Then start sending arsons to prison for life without parole. Include electrical companies and firemen that had a 'control and practice burn' get out of hand. How many "wildfires" you think we'll have in the future?

[@ardianallard]

I hate people, I need this job please,..

[@sweetsongstress7398]

Too bad it's not helping..... smh

[@YeeYee.Living]

🤡

[@mrwaterschoot5617]

maybe i cand build my own fire tower. fot my family camp in my wood lot in vermont. food fpr my retirement.

[@philv3683]

Please explain why Vetter outlook is closed until 2022

[@maxsdad538]

Are you stupid? You're on the internet... LOOK IT UP!

[@maggiejohnson5891]

More like Pyroterrorism lookout

[@highplains94]

I'd take the mule over the Ford anyways lol more reliable.

[@randalllaue4042]

Don’t they rent them out? Thought was common practice to rent out like B and B...

[@jolyfrye1871]

She seems really devoted. It wouldn't B an ideal job 4 me. 🤔 No cell phone service. 📲 No internet. 📡 No Police. 👮‍♂️ It doesn't seem safe 4 a woman alone.

[@drue6360]

Do they even need lookouts in California?! Literally ANYONE in the ENTIRE state could look out their own window and see fire right?

[@marzsit9833]

not really. most fires start in remote areas where there are no people so see the fire start.

[@buzman1985]

This is an insanely huge waste of money. The USFS is so behind the times. Cameras with a satellite internet connection. Done.

[@alanskinner7031]

Actual the Fire lookouts were the backbone of the fire fighting in the forest for about 80 years. They work great. An IR camera cannot hook a pack up with a saw and shovel and have out a lighting strike.

[@maxsdad538]

Then why have they proven to be so ineffective? UNDONE!

[@YeeYee.Living]

Shut it European

[@buzman1985]

@@alanskinner7031 Let me know when the single person in a lookout can do this.

[@FLOODOFSINS]

Sounds like she has too much free time. Now get back to work like the rest of us.

[@bonnieinla]

Nah, these are the ORIGINAL remote workers!

[@SoapinTrucker]

You realize that first Lady has already spent her life working right? She's probably in her 60's! Will YOU make it that far? ;)

[@FLOODOFSINS]

@@SoapinTrucker this lady even admits she always wanted to grow up to do nothing and to become nothing and waste her life and time watching the world go by. I hope this world burns the ground and she is the first to go. Then I bet she'll be in some Tower in heaven watching for someone to burn heaven to the ground 😂. She cannot stop fate.

[@realgsdontdie5095]

I'd probably be asleep while a fire ravages the forest below.