What is it like to be a fire lookout in a ranger tower?

Not sure how it is to be a lookout, but I have hiked fire roads and climbed several old fire towers. Always a great view!

One usually stays for the fire season. Sometimes alone, sometimes in pairs. A great view with an important job. Not many human visitors, and many like it that way. Storms can be exciting!

What ever your in that time would require, I can see in for two weeks and out for like four days type thing, you would probably have to check in with dispatch once a day saying you’re ok and no fires spotted at that time.

Kind of like this but less dramatic.

I’ve NEVER had that job so I don’t know firsthand. This might give you an idea. Anybody talking about having the job seem to love it.

They are no longer used. Fires are tracked and monitored by satellite now.

When I lived out west, I had a friend who staffed a fire tower in Colorado high country for a summer. He said it was beautiful, but boring. He was a writer, so he did have time for his work, but after that summer, he said he never wanted to be that lonely again.

I’ve been up in a couple. Both were very old, and were not supposed to be climbed. Both were extremely dangerous.
I don’t think I’d like being in one for very long. Although, if it were more stable I’d be ok with it.

I don’t know of any “active” ones, in my area. Maybe on the west coast?...