Lava Butte Fire Lookout 101st Anniversary 

August 17th 10:00-3:00 @Lava Butte Lookout

Come join current lookout staff, former lookouts, interpreters, forest service fire personnel, and Smokey Bear and celebrate one of Oregon's Historic Icons.

We will  have pictures, stories, fire ecology lectures, and presentations focusing on fire detection, and modern day applications.

 What is it like to be a modern day Lookout Observer?

Here at Lava Butte the Lookout job is a High Stress situation for the most part. We are surrounded by communities that rely and expect early detection and fire suppression. Your homes and businesses are important to us, and so is the surrounding forest. When a fire breaks, we are expected to give an accurate fire report in seconds, 

 delays and mistakes are unacceptable. Even with new technology, much of the job is the same as it was in your grandparents era. We must know every landmark in our seeing area intimately. Fires with the base not visible, as in fires behind a ridge or mountain, are very difficult to ascertain distance, and only experience and local knowledge of the area can keep you from chewing your nails to the bone hoping you got it right. During lightning storms we spend our whole day staring at clouds, sky, and forest, which can and frequently does lead to eye strain, headaches, and an overall feeling of exhaustion. Early detection, prompt fire reports, and excellent crews have kept the major fires at bay here in south deschutes country, at least for the 7 years I've worked here. As many of you know, high temperatures combined with low humidity, can be a explosive situation for fire growth and spread potential. And then wind changes everything. Be cautious this summer!

Joey Michael Hodgson is a lookout, firefighter, extreme kayaker, chainsaw carver, writer, and musician. Check out his blog @onthelookout@blogger.com  His latest music project@joey river black butte porter song contest