Fire Lookout

Leif Haugen is no stranger to being alone in the wilderness. As a fire lookout for the U.S. Forest Service, he’s spent more than 30 years working in some of the most remote areas of the country. Haugen’s job is to monitor wooded regions for any signs of wildfires.

Last year, Haugen was stationed at Thoma Fire Lookout, a tiny, isolated cabin just west of Glacier National Park in Montana. Perched on a mountaintop 2,100 meters (6,890 feet) above sea level, the cabin provides breathtaking views in every direction for an important reason. This vantage point allows Haugen to scan the whole forest for wisps of smoke that could signal the start of a wildfire.

Fire lookouts like Haugen act as early warning systems, alerting firefighters so they can act quickly to keep blazes under control. Haugen spoke to Science World about being the first line of defense against dangerous wildfires.

What is it like to live at Thoma Fire Lookout?

The cabin is staffed during wildfire season, from July to September. I usually work 10 to 12 days in a row at the cabin. Then I have a few days off. I head down the mountain to see my wife and pick up groceries. 

The cabin is small, about 4 by 4 m (14 by 14 ft). It has windows all around, so I have a 360-degree view of the entire landscape. Inside, there’s a twin bed, a desk, a propane oven, a small stovetop, a solar-powered cooler, and a wood stove for heat. I share the space with my dog, Ollie.

What is a typical day as a lookout like?

I usually wake up at sunrise. Then I’m on shift from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., observing the forests for smoke. In the evening, I might read, paint, or sit on the porch to pass the time. But even when not on shift, fire lookouts always need to be ready. That’s particularly true during storms, when lightning strikes can set fires. 

What do you do if you spot a wildfire?

If I see smoke, I use a tool called a fire finder (see photo, above). It’s like a large compass. Its face is a map of the area with Thoma Lookout in the center. I can find the fire’s position by rotating the fire finder to align it with the smoke and then following that line across the map. 

I use a radio to relay these coordinates to a dispatch center, where fire managers decide if additional resources like firefighters, planes, or helicopters are needed to battle fires. Most fires don’t become huge blazes, and some go out on their own. Still, it’s important to report every sighting so we can react quickly before it grows. 

What happens once firefighting efforts begin?

When firefighters are called in, it’s all hands on deck. I become the main point of communication, relaying messages between the firefighters and officials at the dispatch center in town. I help make sure the teams have the resources and information they need to stay safe. I provide weather updates, like if the forecast shows storms or high winds that can fan flames. I also report any changes in the fire’s behavior so the firefighters can make informed decisions.

What kinds of skills are important for this job?

You need to be flexible. You might have weeks of quiet, but then a fire starts. Suddenly, you’re working 12 to 16 hours a day. You also need to be self-sufficient and comfortable being alone. The solitude can be challenging, but living on the top of a mountain is an amazing opportunity few people get to have. The experience of spending time in such a beautiful spot, so close to nature—that’s what keeps me coming back.