2024 New Volunteer Registration
Step 1: Review Tower Locations
All volunteers need to live within reasonable driving distance of the tower(s) where they will serve. Generally this means living within the Greater Los Angeles Metro Area.
Our fire lookout program is NOT a full-time, residential program – our lookouts serve in 1-day shifts and do not live in a lookout tower.
Please review the location details for each lookout prior to filling out your application. Make sure that the lookout tower you where you would like to serve is accessible to you.
Slide Mountain Lookout
A great option for hikers! Located off Interstate 5 above Pyramid Lake, getting to the tower requires a 3 mile hike (each way) for Fire Lookouts with a high-clearance, 4×4 vehicle or a 4 mile hike (each way) with other cars. Visitors have to hike about 5 miles to the tower, so visitors are fairly rare.
It’s important to note that fire lookouts need to carry all food and water to the tower and pack out all trash. There is mobile coverage at the tower, but there is no electricity for recharging devices.
Vetter Mountain Lookout
Vetter Mountain is located off of Highway 2 near the Charlton-Chilao Recreation Area. Fire Lookouts can drive directly to the tower via a dirt road, accessible to most cars. Visitors hike a little over 1 mile to visit the tower so it receives many visitors, especially on weekends.
All food and water will need to be brought to the tower and trash packed out. There is electricity but there is no mobile coverage so communication is limited while at the tower.