Community Corner

How to Become an Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout

New volunteers must attend three classes, the next of which is Thursday May 9.

Locals who lived through the 2009 Station Fire, among other blazes, likely don’t need to be reminded of the importance of fire vigilance in a wilderness area.

In case anyone needed a brief refresher, Monrovia's Madison Fire torched 150 acres and forced evacuations in hillside neighborhoods before firefighters were able to contain it.

Those wishing to help the fire vigilance effort and volunteer for the Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association for 2013 can do so by attending classes held this month.

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New volunteers must attend three classes and returning volunteers must attend one reconnect class. See class information below. 

“Volunteers [for the Fire Lookout Program] are trained to call in smoke and fire reports, thus enhancing the fire fighting capabilities of the U.S. Forest Service,” said the Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association on its website.  

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The Program objectives are:

  • Staff and maintain the remaining fire lookouts
  • Provide informal and impromptu interpretation of the surrounding area both cultural and historical
  • Assist the Angeles National Forest by greeting visitors, and providing general forest orientation, information and assistance
  • Assist the Angeles National Forest Recreation Staff by providing general recreation information
  • Assist the Angeles National Forest Fire Prevention Staff through interpretive delivery of key fire prevention messages and hands-on experience with the Osborne Fire Finder and related devices
  • Assist the Angeles National Forest Dispatch/Fire Suppression Staff by providing radio relay, accurate smoke reports and remote eyes and ears for incident assessment as needed
  • Create a positive image for the U.S. Forest Service, Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association, its’ program, volunteers, partners and sponsors

New Volunteers

New volunteers must attend three classes--one of each in separate categories. To volunteer and begin training, just show up for the first class. No RSVP or advanced sign-up is required.

Class dates and times for those classes are:

Class 1: Orientation

Thursday, May 9, 6:30 pm — 8:30 pm

*There was also a May 4 class, but that is not included here since it has passed.

Class 2: Interpretation – Natural History 

Saturday, May 4, 1:00 pm — 4:00 pm

or

Thursday, May 16, 6:30 pm — 9:30 pm

Class 3: Operations

Saturday, May 18, 9:00 am — 4:00 pm

All new volunteer classes will be held at:

Los Angeles River Ranger District Office
12371 N. Little Tujunga Canyon Road
San Fernando, CA 91342

Any questions? Use this contact form.

Returning Volunteers

Returning volunteers need to attend one of the following classes.

Reconnect

  • Saturday,  May 11, 10:am– 1:00pm
  • Thursday,  May 23, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Reconnect Training will be held at: 

Los Angeles River Ranger District Office.
12371 N. Little Tujunga Canyon Road
San Fernando, CA 91342

Any questions? Use this contact form.

See more on Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association and training here.

 

Are you interested in volunteering?


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