What’s up guys, I live in Montana, & work at a ski resort in property management. It’s a nice gig but I’m looking for something that might be more enjoyable. I am able bodied and I have a serious 4x4. Im sure I can get to any site to say the least. Beyond that being an outdoorsmen I’ll have no issue with keeping well fed and comfortable off the grid.

I was talking to an older fellow at work and he was saying how he did this for the summer years back and found it quite enjoyable. It’s very appealing to me. But I’m worried that I’ve missed the deadline as other posts seem to show that they do hiring in the fall. Is this true? My next question would be, is it advantageous or disadvantageous to live locally when applying for these jobs? Maybe I can find a less desirable station that’s local to me? Thanks in advance, sorry for being a laymen.

Any new hires in R5 received their email from Albuquerque yet?

Hello, I recently decided to try and become a lookout and after doing some research on it, I’ve found that one of the biggest hurdles in getting a job is previous experience in some form of the field.

What recommendations do y’all have on ways to gain the requirements I might need to fulfill.

Thank you for any help.

I'm currently 16, and of course plans aren't set in stone, but I feel like I've done enough research and like reading to know that this is something I really want to do. I've always loved nature, been hiking / camping all my life, and I really do thrive by myself. I wanted to ask all of you guys and gals for like things I can start doing now? like what volunteering do they look for the most, is there stuff I can start doing now, and like if theres any places that are consistently needing more staff, so hopefully I'll be able to get one ASAP. My family is moving to michigan after I graduate HS, and I've already decided I'm not going (issues w/ family), so it'll be nice to be alone.

Sorry for the wall of text, but I wanted to make sure i'm getting all my thoughts and questions down.
Thanks in advance all!

Anyone take an instant pot up for the summer? I’ll (hopefully) be at a new tower this year that looks to run on solar. So, 2 questions:

1. If you’re familiar with instant pots, do you think it’ll be too much or should I also bring my solar generator?

2. Either way, if you use an instant pot at your tower or anywhere remote, what are your favorite, easy staple dishes? I’m thinking beans, rice, stuff that can be stored dry and go a long way. Stuff that doesn’t take 4k herbs and spices that I’ll have to also hike in… it’s only 1/2 a mile but I’m trying SO HARD not to over pack. (Uggggg)

Edit to add: Jackery site has some info on using instant pots with their products. While I have a 700 watt instant pot, it looks like my Jackery 1000v2 might not be enough to do the deal. I’ll experiment with it at home but I’m so close to sea level, it probably won’t be comparable to the tower elevation.

https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/ultimate-guide-to-instant-pot-wattage?srsltid=AfmBOoohMMxL_Eyd_LEoqsvK2Hr6WUT0Qi_L1hPxs6mkYaFpiA0S0R-p

I started a page on Bluesky which features poetry from past and present fire lookouts and enthusiasts. Epic photos also accepted. I hope to see some of over there!

https://bsky.app/profile/firelookoutpoetry.bsky.social

Will it effect me if I've accepted the official offer and have been given a start date?

Hello, I'm interested in a volunteer position this summer. It seems like the firelookout.org page is down, is there another place to look for volunteer opportunities?

Hey! I just finished a game and it was about a fire lookout and I really enjoyed it (firewatch). I know it’s difficult to compare irl to a game and have reasonable expectations, but that’s why I’m asking yall. Are we allowed to like go hiking and stuff? And can we have our friends apply for the towers around us? I’m a 16m still in high school, but thought this would be a cool experience for a summer before I have to deal with real life or whatever lol.

Hey folks! There’s been a lot of chatter about towers going unstaffed this season due to the USFS’s budget issues. Now that temp hiring has kicked off, it might be helpful to have a thread where we could consolidate information.

I worked for Region 4 last season and was talking to another district about staffing one of their towers. I received a message a few days ago from the AFMO that they will not be staffing due to budget shortfalls.

I did get a job offer from a forest on Region 3, and was told by the hiring manager that their lookouts would all be staffed as normal.

If anyone else has good information, let’s put it in this thread for returning lookouts and new hires to try and clear out some of the uncertainty.

Update: Got word from another returning lookout that her forest will only be staffing two of the eight lookouts this year due to the budget.

Hi I’m 18 and finish highschool in June I was wondering if you could do this as a summer job

I live in Alberta and want to be a fire look out over the summer. So I was wondering what if any courses I should take or skills I should learn that might help my chances of being employed or if there’s even still time to apply for this summer. Any amount of info would be appreciated.

Hello all i have 2 seasons worth of fire experience in R6, 1 on engine, 1 on handcrew. This is my first year applying as a lookout & i just wanted to ask what are the odds of actually getting a lookout job this coming season as someone with no lookout experience but some fire experience ? I have already applied to a few lookout openings on USAjobs. Thanks you 🙏

Emails have started coming in on my referral status for Forest Service Lookout applications. I’m overwhelmed, trying to sort out the ones to aim for. Have I missed the DOI announcements or have they not come out yet? I remember them being after but not this far after.

Going to Washington first week of march, want to backpack up to a fire lookout and sleep the night. I have spikes, snowshoes, other gear that will be good in the snow. Anyone know of any during the time I'm going that I can reserve or will be open??

Hey all

Fairly odd request here, but I am looking at writing a novel with one of the locations being a fire lookout and had a few questions about it to help me get a better understanding of the role.

-what do you take? -what did you wish you should have taken? -how long do you stay? -would you have a firearm? -is there electricity/any form of backup power? -what is the bathroom situation? -if you were giving advice to someone new to it, what would it be? -how often do you interact with other humans?

I am a 21 year old male pretty athletic and have spent my entire life in the back country of the Mon national forest In WV. I’ve spent three years in the army and am curious about lookout jobs really anywhere out west. I plan on volunteering a lot this winter with my local rangers at my national forest to boost my chances of maybe landing a spot. Anything else I need to be doing or does anyone know what places have the most vacancies ? Thanks guys

Does anyone know how I could get my hands on a log or database of all the current active and inactive fire lookouts in Alabama? I’ve been wanting to make a photo book of every tower with my Polaroid.

Hey everyone, I was enquiring about fire lookout jobs in Canada. I cant seem to find anything or pertinent information for the application process or information about the position. I just singed up for a newsletter for position in Alberta but I haven’t heard anything from them.

I was also enquiring generally about everyone’s experience as a lookout, and if any prior experience is required.

If anyone has any information please lmk. Any and all information is welcomed.

Thank you all :)

I applied thru USAJobs for the position I wanted; I am fairly certain of getting the job after speaking with the departing lookout on duty and the FMO for that district. When do they typically tell you if you've been hired? Is that in January? Just trying to firm up plans for next summer

Sorry this might be a really stupid question, but I was wondering if any of you guys are park rangers or forest rangers who will do fire lookout for the season and presume work. If not, do park rangers or forest rangers have a better shot? I'm a highschooler