MEMBERSHIP - At the close of the year, there were 551 members in the Western Region. This represents almost 64 % of the total FFLA membership.

CONFERENCE - The 13th annual Western Region Conference was held September 23rd to 25th at Camp Morrison near McCall, ID, which was an ideal facility. The conference was co-hosted by the Southern Idaho Area Chapter, The Northern Idaho/Montana Area Chapter, and the Eastern Washington Area Chapter. More than 50 FFLA members plus some guests and speakers attended. Once again, the conference attendees enthusiastically supported the silent auction with donations and bids. Nearly $950 was raised - almost double the amount necessary to provide the seed money for the 2006 conference.

This was the first ever conference held within USFS Region 4. McCall, ID is the headquarters for both the Payette National Forest and the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association. Active lookouts of both agencies were visited.

This was another great conference, enjoyed by all who attended.

LOOKOUTS - There were ongoing and/or successfully completed lookout restoration projects in virtually every state of the Western Region.

As far as I have been able to determine, 2005 is the first year since World War 2 that no Western lookouts were lost to either wildfire or intentional destruction. This is something to be very proud of. The FFLA can take some of the credit for raising awareness of and appreciation for the old lookout structures over the years. As can all the great agency personnel who cared enough about the lookouts to get involved. The hard-working crews who wrap the lookouts that are threatened by wildfire also continue to help out immeasurably every year.

We can't rest on our laurels, however. For every single lookout that is successfully restored and saved, there are several more lookouts in dire need of the same. As each year goes by, weather, vandalism, and some shortsighted and uncaring agency personnel continue to take their inevitable toll. Again, every single state, and every single chapter area, has some old lookouts that are currently threatened.

Thanks to all who have supported the FFLA and the fire lookouts.

Dave Bula
Western Deputy Chairman, FFLA