Mammoth Lakes, CA, JULY 26, 2025 – The Forest Fire Lookout Association has partnered with the Inyo National Forest to re-activate the Bald Mountain Fire Lookout and to staff it with volunteers to provide early fire detection on the Mono Lake Ranger District. The FFLA is seeking volunteers age 18 and over to assist at the lookout this season and in future fire seasons. Volunteers will be trained by experienced lookout staff to detect and report wildfire smoke, assist in


locating fires, and serve as docents to provide public information on the mountaintop. Volunteers who join the program are expected to work the equivalent of one 9:30 am to 6:00 pm shift per month during the June-October season. ShiSs may be broken into 4-hour segments if enough people apply.

Training will consist of a 3-hour overview/orienta1on held in Mammoth Lakes on August 23 from 10 am to 1 pm (make-up arrangements will be made for those who cannot be there), followed by an op1onal tour of the tower; and then two or three in-tower sessions with experienced lookouts scheduled around your availability for September and October. The program will resume in June 2026.

Training topics include safety, facility operations, scanning for and reporting smokes, lightning procedures, documentation, and radio protocols. Staffing a lookout requires physical stamina, adaptability, mo1va1on, focus, professionalism, and self-confidence.

A 10-minute project overview video at https://vimeo.com/1083153057 can help you decide if this public safety volunteer activity is appropriate for you. To register for the August 23rd session, or to ask questions, please e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Sco^ McClintock at PalomarTowers@gmail.com. https://sierrawave.net/forest-fire-lookout-association-and-inyo-national-forest-partner-to-re-activate-bald-mountain-lookout/