FIRE LOOKOUTS AND
GUARD STATIONS
Guard Lookouts
FIRE LOOKOUTS
In the 1930s, the Forest Service had a goal to place a fire watch on every mountain top.
More than 3,000 men and women in the Northwest spent their summers manning the
lookouts during the two decades that followed. During World War II, lookouts were staffed
year-round to keep watch for enemy attacks from the air.
Some local lookouts, such as Dry Soda and Frasier lookout, were built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps, an organization developed from President Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”
Young, unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 26 were hired in an effort to renew and
restore the nation’s natural resources. Among their many duties, constructing fire lookouts was one.
Fondly referred to by many firefighters as their “Eyes in the Sky”, fire lookouts still play a
critical role in fire suppression on the Malheur National Forest. Their quick response can be the
difference between a fire staying small, or becoming the next large fire. If you would like to
learn more about the fire lookouts, you can contact your local Forest Service office, or you can
stop by for a chat with a fire lookout during fire season. Plan for a few hours, they love to share
their knowledge!
LOOKOUTS
North East
South West
Dixie Butte Lookout
Indian Rock Lookout
Desolation Butte Lookout
Aldrich Mtn. Lookout
Flagtail Lookout
Fall Mountain Lookout
(Not staffed- rentable: Call 541-575-3000)
North West
Black Butte Lookout (occasionally staffed)
Tamarack Lookout
Madison Butte Lookout
Ritter Butte Lookout
South East
Dry Soda Lookout
Antelope Lookout
Frazier Point Lookout
(Not staffed, cannot climb tower)
Deer Creek Guard Station
Fall Mountain Lookout
From John Day, travel approximately 15.5 miles
south on Highway 395. Turn right onto Forest
Service Road 4920. Follow Forest Service Road
4920 approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Forest
Service Road 607 and continue approximately
1 mile to the lookout. The last mile of road
leading to the lookout is very rutted and
becomes very muddy during spring, early
summer and fall. Higher clearance vehicles
are recommended.
Murderers Creek Guard Station
Short Creek Guard Station
Sunshine Guard Station
Fire Lookouts
Flagtail
Dry Soda
Aldrich Mountain (BLM staffed)
Sugar Loaf
Calamity
King
Antelope
Dixie Butte
Indian Rock
Desolation
Black Butte
Table Rock
Tamarack
List of Lookouts
www.firelookout.com