P a g e 2 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r Stove and stovepipe parts. almost directly below it. Firefighter lookout is a favorite among lookout aficionados, according to Leif Haugen, who heads the lookout program for the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. People appreciate its accessibility and expansive views. The 1953 (current) lookout is unique in design, Leif says. Firefighter is the only lookout with an R-6 flattop base and an L-4 tower on top of it. Originally it contained a hip roof, which was later replaced by a flat roof. The current lookout was staffed with paid Forest Service personnel until sometime around 1997 or 1998, when Leif said it went out of service. It remained that way until the Flathead National Forest fire organization began to see merit in putting some lookouts back on the rolls after 2010. Baptiste Lookout, south of Firefighter, had some major renovations done to it before it could be considered usable. At the same time, Firefighter gained support for rehab work, taking far less effort than Baptiste. The decking and railings were tuned up and the roof made safe and sound. The completion of the projects on Baptiste and Firefighter allowed them to be the first of three lookouts (including Cyclone Lookout) to enter into the Flathead’s volunteer lookout program in 2012. Forest Service budgets could not afford to pay a staffed employee, but there was no shortage of people interested in volunteering for the job. The first couple of years during the program, work continued to improve Firefighter and Baptiste. Subsequent years have seen projects being completed by the volunteer lookouts or through projects funded through cooperative efforts between Foundation rocks. Tree grew in middle of foundation. This 1951 topographic map shows Firefighter in its current location, 1-1/2 miles northwest of the first lookout, although it was only contracted in 1951. Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1953. This map also shows the original lookout as a triangulation point only. the U.S. Forest Service and the Northwest Montana Lookout Association. As an example, in 2018, NWLA teamed up with the Daybreak Rotary Club of Kalispell for a major painting project for Firefighter. Today both Baptiste and Firefighter have received important upgrades to carry them forward into the future.
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