Can I rent any of the Methow Valley’s lookouts?

No, not currently. Two of the Valley’s lookouts (Goat Peak and Mount Leecher) are still actively staffed by the Forest Service. Others either remain on standby status or require structural or lightning system repairs before they can be occupied. The Methow Valley Forest Fire Lookout Association is in active discussion and partnership with the Methow Valley Ranger District to determine the best course of action to maintain and preserve the Methow Valley’s lookouts.

Is there a plan to turn any of the Methow Valley’s fire lookouts into rentals?

Possibly. The Methow Valley Forest Fire Lookout Association is in active discussion and partnership with the Methow Valley Ranger District to determine the best course of action to maintain and preserve the Methow Valley’s lookouts. Turning a fire lookout into a rental requires the support and coordination of several Forest Service resource areas including recreation, heritage, and engineering. There are also costly safety and engineering issues, such as railings and lightning protection systems, that need to be discussed.

Why are more of the lookouts not open to the public?

Goat Peak and Mount Leecher are still actively staffed lookouts that are generally open to public visitation, at the lookouts discretion, during their staffed fire seasons. We have several historically unique lookouts in the Methow Valley that are some of the last of their kind. It takes a mountain of volunteer time, money, and effort to maintain these structures. Often closing them is the best course of action to prevent damage or vandalism. Lookout Mountain in Twisp was opened to the public for visitation over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2022 and we hope to build on that success.

Why doesn’t the Forest Service maintain and staff all of the lookouts?

The U.S. Forest Service has been strapped for funding for a number of years and in recent years funding and staffing has been even tighter. We are very lucky to have a District that supports and cares for our historic fire lookouts. The District has won some grants to help with immediate lookout maintenance needs but long-term funding strategies are needed to preserve the lookouts. These structures are subject to harsh weather and many lookouts in our District were built in the 1930s and 1950s. Structural repairs, lightning system repairs, roofing repairs, and paint can be costly items. This is the reason we formed a nonprofit sub-chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association. We partner with our local Ranger District to provide funding and volunteer help to ease the strain.

Will there be a volunteer program that allows staffing of any lookouts?

Possibly. Again, the Methow Valley Forest Fire Lookout Association is in active discussion and partnership with the Methow Valley Ranger District to determine the best course of action to maintain and preserve the Methow Valley’s lookouts. Our initial focus for now is building our partnership with the District, generating additional funding, and growing our volunteer base to perform much needed repairs and maintenance to our lookouts, especially Mebee Pass and North Twentymile, which are historically significant lookouts.

Can I join the organization and support the lookouts without participating in work parties?

Yes! We are always on the lookout (sorry for the pun) for enthusiastic lookout supporters! Of course monetary donations are fantastic. We could also use help with bookkeeping, outreach, oral histories, and documentation. We welcome everyone’s membership and support, you can fill out our volunteer form or email us at info@mvffla.org.

Are my donations tax deductible?

Yes! As a sub-chapter of the registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit Forest Fire Lookout Association, we can accept tax deductible donations. Note that these donations are to support the MVFFLA and our efforts to preserve the lookouts and are not donations to the U.S. Forest Service. Make a donation.