Support our mission

Volunteering and Membership in the Association

Volunteering with the SFLA can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  From restoring nearly 100-year old buildings, to rebuilding trails, to restoring old artifacts, to talking to the public, there are ALWAYS things to be done.  Our mission revolves around “Preserving the lookouts” so much of what we do is related to that mission: preservation and keeping the lookouts available for the general public to visit and see how lookouts work.   Some of what we do involved skilled labor e.g. re-roofing lookouts with cedar shingles, but there are always projects that can make use of general “hands”.  

There is a lot of work that goes into keeping these lookouts functional and operational.  We are always looking for help on basic preservation tasks:  scraping and repainting, repairing broken parts of the lookouts, picking up trash, maintaining and improving trails, and protecting fragile alpine landscapes.  We sometimes have to haul materials to the lookouts—which can be challenging as they are on the top of mountains, can involve miles of hiking to reach, and in the case of Granite, we cannot use machines to help us get there. 

We also help the Forest Service in other ways: reporting on trail conditions, repairing trails as requested, picking up garbage and restoring wilderness campsites, assisting with public events, and other activities where we can help the Forest Service present their mission to the public.

Can’t do the physical stuff? We have lots of other ways you can help: helping behind the desk at the Ranger Stations (when they are open); assisting with writing grant applications; helping to train new volunteers; writing articles to help advertise the Association, the lookouts, and the importance of fire safety; and helping to capture the history of these lookouts for future generations.

Want to sign up?  

Download and fill out the SFLA Member form , then sign and submit to the SFLA.

 Serving as a Fire Lookout

One major question that is often asked is “can I be a Fire Lookout?”  The answer is “Yes”, with some caveats. 

These fire lookouts belong to the U.S. Forest Service-- we work under their supervision and rules, which means we are only able to open lookouts and staff them under their rules.  

A requirement for volunteering with SFLA projects is membership in the SFLA.  The reason for this requirement is to provide volunteers with liability insurance and medical gap insurance while they are on duty. You may also participate if you are signed up to be an individual volunteer with the Forest Service.

One opportunity we are offered is the chance to serve as a Fire Lookout.

SFLA membership is not just about getting to staff a fire lookout. Often there is work to be done to open the lookouts and unless it gets completed, no staffing may be allowed by the Forest Service.  On good years, the lookouts are opened, but so many volunteers want to serve that there are more persons than there are slots on the calendar, so assignments are done by lottery.  As a result, a volunteer may not get a chance to staff during any given year.

To serve as a lookout, a person has to be physically capable of carrying out all lookout duties, including:

1) hiking to the lookouts with all needed equipment

2) observing the local area, talking on the radio

3) carrying out cleaning and minor repairs

4) interacting with the public

5) responding to emergencies

All lookouts need to complete training which includes training on the purpose and history of fire lookouts; how to spot and locate smokes and fires; how to use the Osborne Fire Finder; how to use the 2-way radio; how to care for the lookout, including cleaning duties; and how to deal with problems.  Novice lookouts are encouraged to participate in a “field-trip” to one of the lookouts to get hands on experience with lookout operations before going on duty. 

Once you’ve completed training you will be entered into a lottery drawing.

What do lookouts do? 

Forest fire lookouts are people who work from fire towers to help prevent or detect wildland fires. From their viewpoints in the forests, lookouts can detect smoke and fire rising from the trees far off in the distance.   

Forest fire lookouts are responsible for observing and reporting fire and smoke in their assigned areas. Lookouts are knowledgeable about weather systems, fire weather, and fire behavior. They use binoculars, topographic maps, compasses, GPS, and the Osborne Firefinder to identify the approximate location, size, and characteristics of smokes and fires.   Lookouts use two-way radios or cell phones to communicate with rangers, dispatchers and fellow lookouts about weather, fire hazard conditions, fire emergencies, accidents and updates of wildland firefighting activities.  Lookouts are responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of fire towers and grounds. They maintain lookout equipment, making minor adjustments and repairs. Lookouts also keep records and daily logs, and perform other routine administrative tasks.  Fire lookouts also serve as docents to talk to the public, welcoming and interacting with visitors, explaining the role of fire lookouts in the past and today, talking about the National Forests, Fire Safety, and helping visitors enjoy their forests!

Fire lookouts in the Snoqualmie Ranger District are mostly volunteers and serve for 24-72 hour shifts at their assigned lookout, spending nights in the lookout cabs and being on duty from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm daily.  While on duty, they help maintain the lookouts, do routine cleaning, greet the public and talk to them about the lookouts, relay radio messages, and, of course, look for fires!