FFLA Lookout Store

Finding Fire*
A Personal History of Fire Lookouts
By Doug Newman

Now available from the Lane County Historical Society and Museum
740 W. 13th Street
Eugene, OR  97402
(541) 682-4242
www.lanecountyhistoricalsociety.org

TOIYABE PATROL*
Five U.S. Forest Service Summers East of the High Sierra in the 1960s
by Les Joslin

There were no fire lookouts on the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Toiyabe National Forest when FFLA member Les Joslin started work there in the summer of 1962--and there still aren't. But that didn't stop Les from detecting fires--a job he did his freshman season on the district's three-man fire crew and during the four following summers he served as the district's fire prevention guard.

Toiyabe Patrol is Les' recently revised and enlarged edition of the original 1993 book in which Les shares those five U.S. Forest summers in a very different time not too long ago. In 120 pages illustrated by 65 now-historic photographs, he takes you back to the Forest Service of the 1960s when a staff of four--a district ranger, a range conservationist, a forestry technician/fire control officer, and a district clerk--and summer crew of about ten did it all on a half-million acre eastern Sirra Nevada ranger district.

Order from Wilderness Associates, P.O. Box 5822, Bend, OR 97708 for $14.95 (postage included).

Between Land & Sky:
A Fire Lookout Story

2007, Outskirts Press, paperback, 140 pages, ISBN: 1432704397

"I have always wanted to work as a fire lookout." Dixie Boyle went on to be a lookout and history teacher for twenty years, spotting fires in New Mexico, Oregon, Wyoming and South Dakota. She lives on a ranch in central New Mexico and staffs Capilla Peak Fire Lookout in the Manzano Mountains during fire season. Her book weaves the history of fire lookouts with the land, people and experiences associated with the towers she has worked.

Available from bookstores.

Fire Tower
By Jack Kestner

Young Adult novel, appropriate for middle school and up.

First published in 1960 by Funk & Wagnalls; republished in 2007 by Clinch Mountain Press.

Paperback, 160 pages, ISBN : 9780972476546

$12.00 plus $3.00 S&H and .60 tax for Virginia residents

Young Duncan Akers takes on a big challenge while recuperating from a serious illness. He agrees to serve as a lookout at a remote fire tower high atop Clinch Mountain in Southwest Virginia. When not at his lofty post watching for smoke or cooking meals in his tiny cabin, Duncan explores the dark depths of the mysterious sandstone channels that are weather-carved into the earth below.

He's just settling into the rhythm of life and work in the wilderness when suddenly two unexpected visitors appear -- a desperate escaped convict and a little girl he has taken hostage. Duncan's routine is disrupted in ways he could never have imagined. In short order a major forest fire threatens their lives as well as thousands of acres of pristine forestland he is determined to protect.

The late Jack Kestner, a military reporter by profession, wrote this adventure story in 1960 after serving as a lookout himself at the Hayters Knob fire tower, which still stands sentinel on Clinch Mountain. With this book, Jack honored the men and women of the Virginia Division of Forestry (now the Department of Forestry) who work tirelessly to protect lives and property during fire season.

Available in book stores in the Abingdon, Virginia, area or from this website: www.clinchmountainpress.net

Contact: shearer@clinchmountainpress.net

Eyes of the Forest
by Vivian Demuth

2007, Smoky Peace Press, paperback, 308 pages, ISBN: 9780968562352

"Demuth's novel is a breath of fresh air. Her prose is wonderfully descriptive and confident, an ode to nature in its primal form. City dwellers such as myself are reminded of what we do not know about the wild, and what we are all at risk of losing in our shortsightedness."--Kaylie Jones, author of A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries

Vivian Demuth's novel Eyes of the Forest engages the greatest issues of our age without pretension through the eyes of both human and non-human life. Set in Canada's boreal forest, the fire lookouts, tree planters, loggers, and oil patch rounders inhabit a narrative that raises the stakes to Planet Earth itself. Here are women sketching their identities on the front lines of an ecological and ideological battle--robust, soulful, revolutionary women, harbingers of a new mythology. Some of the men are lost or searching souls, ghosts of that dying culture of Adam's right to dominion. At the heart of it all, a young man and a young woman struggle for a love as beautiful and precarious as the wilderness around them. Passionate, exotic, and slightly apocalyptic, the novel challenges that American myth of "taming the West."

To purchase a copy of Eyes of the Forest, please visit www.smokypeacepress.com or order online from www.mcnallyrobinson.com.

BETWEEN FOREST AND SKY:
A Fire Tower Journal

by Sharon Stratton

2006, Heritage House, paperback, 224 pages, ISBN: 1894974166

The author's enthusiastic and beautifully described account of her experiences as a fire-tower observer in Alberta reveals a simple, satisfying lifestyle. "From the time I learned to climb the tree in the family backyard, my path always brought me to the peace of the forest." Always attracted to the outdoors, she had applied to be a fire-tower observer five times before she was finally accepted. She headed to the forest with only her dogs for company to lead a seasonal, largely solitary life of oneness with nature and immense responsibility. Her story reveals in intriguing detail how fire-tower observers live, shedding light on the community of observers stationed in towers and lookout sites throughout the boreal forests. Through her words, it's possible to experience the rush of adrenaline she feels when she spots and reports fires from atop her 100-foot tower, and to discover with her the beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna.

Signed copies available by contacting June Stratton at jstratton2@cogeco.ca or (905) 357-4098. $18.95 CDN/$16.95 US plus shipping. Also available through bookstores.

FISH CREEK: A Western Adventure

by Robert Lodder
2005, 224 pages, 6' x 9" paperback ISBN:1420861301

FFLA member Bob Lodder put pen to paper to tell of his adventures as a boy growing up and then as a young man and his desire to see America and the world. While in college at Cornell, he spent the summers of 1960 and 1961 in the US Forest Service on the Nez Perce National Forest near Grangeville, Idaho. Most of the experiences in this account were lived during this time. His firefighting experiences and his life at Fish Creek Lookout led to his questioning of accepted forest practices then being used as well as questioning man's ability to live with his fellow man and to control his own outcome. He was the last lookout to staff Fish Creek.

Order from Bob Lodder, 12 Prospect Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886, tburgtoys@fltg.net, 607-387-7891.

$15.50 each includes shipping and handling.

Adirondack Hikes in Hamilton County

Peter Klein, a reporter for the Hamilton County (NY) News, has recently published a hiking guide to trails in the Adirondacks of Hamilton County, appropriately titled: “Adirondack Hikes in Hamilton County” (ISBN # 1411675142).

It is the first published hiking guide aimed only at trails and attractions in Hamilton County, NY. In addition to being a trail guide, the book offers tips on many outdoor activities, state campgrounds, local chambers of commerce and who to call in an emergency.

Klein says, "The hikes listed are hikes I have taken with my "hiking buddies," my granddaughters, who have kept me young and have provided me the needed excuse to get out and enjoy the woods. Most of the hiking stories have previously appeared in "The Hamilton County News". Many readers of the paper have suggested over the years that I should put the hiking stories together in book form. and this guide is the result."

Available online at: www.lulu.com/ravenwolfpublish

Fire in their Eyes

With humor, sadness, history and adventures, Fire In Their Eyes has captured essence of the Sequoia National Forest lookouts and towers. This book was formed by the lookouts themselves, past and present and is enhanced by photos of towers now and towers then, some long gone.

Cost is $13.00 per book, which includes shipping and handling (California residents please include 7.25% sales tax).

Send orders and make out checks or money orders to:

Mary Ann Evans
1517 Charlott Dr.
Wofford Heights, CA. 93285

All proceeds go to The Buck Rock Foundation for the preservation of Lookout Towers and other historic buildings.

*****SOLD OUT- 3RD EDITION FORTHCOMING*****

"ADIRONDACK FIRE TOWERS: Their History and Lore, The Northern Districts"

Adirondack Fire Towers: Their History and Lore, the Northern Districts published by Purple Mountain Press of Fleischmanns, NY, covers the history and lore of the twenty-five state and one private fire towers in the northern part of the Adirondack Park that includes St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties.

Included in the book are many hundreds of human interest stories the author has gathered in personal interviews, and hundreds of photographs both historical and contemporary that give intimate details of the lives of these courageous denizens of the deep woods. Bears abound! Danger flashes down in lightning bolts that fry telephones and make hair stand on end! Porcupines gnaw everything! Families survive nicely in tiny cabins, and always the towers stand and sway in wind and rain staffed by men and women dedicated to preserving our precious wilderness.

The 350-page, large-format book is available in local stores in a paperback edition for $20.00 ($2 shipping). It can also be purchased by contacting the author at podskoch@adelphia.net or (860-267-2442).

360 Degrees
A Guide to Vermont's Fire and Observation Towers

by The Green Mountain Club

This guide to Vermont's twelve remaining fire towers and five observation towers will take you above the trees to some of the best panoramic views in the Green Mountains. Whether you are looking for a short walk to the modest two-story observatory on Prospect Hill in Brownington or a 22-mile backpacking trip to the remote fire tower on Glastenbury Mountain, you will find driving directions to the trailheads, parking information, trail descriptions and mileages, maps and estimated hiking times. Price: $7.95

This book can be purchased though the Green Mountain Club's Web Site -

https://secure.earthlogic.com/gmc/product_detail.php?sku=FT0815

Looking Out for Our Forests
The Evolution of a Plan to Protect New Hampshire's Woodlands from Fire

by Iris W. Baird

History of fire protection in NH based on unpublished materials, by Iris W. Baird, $20.00 + $2.00 shipping. Available from Iris W. Baird, 11 Richardson Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.

A Field Guide to New Hampshire Firetowers

by Iris W. Baird and Chris Haartz, Second Revised Edition

The second edition of the Field Guide to New Hampshire Firetowers is an update of the book she and NH FFLA Director Chris Haartz put together for the 1992 FFLA conference. The guide provides a weath of information on the current inventory of New Hampshire Fire Towers.

$5.00 + $1.50 shipping
Available from Iris W. Baird, 11 Richardson Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.

Walt Perry: An Early-Day Forest Ranger is New Mexico and Oregon

by Walter J. Perry, edited by Les Joslin

This is the amazing story of Walt Perry (1873-1959) who, after working at many jobs -- most notably at mining and logging in Mexico -- found his "real life's work" in the U.S. Forest Service. A graduate of the "school of hard knocks," this rough and ready gentleman of intelligence and integrity served on national forests in New Mexico and Oregon from 1910 to 1936 and epitomized the pioneer forest ranger. Along the way, he served with many of the Forest Service's best and brightest as he rose through the ranks to become a respected member of the forestry profession. This unique book was reviewed by Gifford Pinchot biographer Char Miller in the November 2000 Journal of Forestry. Published in 1999, 205 pages, 32 historic photos, ISBN 0-9647167-2-0, only $10.00 per copy postpaid.

Wilderness Associates, P.O. Box 5822, Bend, Oregon 97708. Phone 541-330-0331 for more information. Enclose check or money order. Remember, postage is included in the $10.00 price of each book.

Uncle Sam's Cabins: A Visitor's Guide to Historic U.S. Forest Service Ranger Stations of the West

by Les Joslin

*****SOLD OUT at this time*****

Uncle Sam's Cabins is a book to take on the road, a step back in time to 75 historic U.S. Forest Service ranger stations throughout the West from which early-day forest rangers patrolled and protected America's magnificent national forests. Some of these stations remain in use. Others are preserved and interpreted. All are fascinating. Access information is provided for each. Jim Forst of Oregon Outside magazine called this book "the perfect companion for those who enjoy a little history and a story or two when exploring our national forests."

Published in 1995, 252 pages, 130 photos, 7 maps
ISBN 0-9647167-1-2, only $10.00 per copy postpaid.

Wilderness Associates, P.O. Box 5822, Bend, Oregon 97708. Phone 541-330-0331 for more information. Enclose check or money order. Remember, postage is included in the $10.00 price of each book.

Lookout Cookbook
A Collection of Recipes by Forest Fire Lookouts
by Libby Langston

The Lookout Cookbook is a blend of recipes, history, personal stories and over 100 photographs. Seventy recipes from breakfast to desert were collected from the people who staffed fire lookouts. This book provides a glimpse into what it was like to spend a summer isolated in a lookout. The Lookout Cookbook raises awareness of these historic structures and their preservation. 152 pages, 6.75" x 9.5" paperback.

Published by the Museum of North Idaho.

Order from FFLA/Gary Weber, 2590 W. Versailles Dr., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 $14.95 + $4.00 shipping/handling. $1.00 s/h for each additional book to same address.

Visa/MasterCard accepted (will show as American Resources on billing statement).

The Fire Observation Towers of New York State - Survivors That Still Stand Guard

Recently, FFLA member Paul Laskey completed a three year project resulting in the publication of "The Fire Observation Towers of New York State", subtitled: "Survivors That Still Stand Guard". The book looks the history of New York States' fire tower program and documents all the towers that currently remain standing in the state. There are 58 towers included with technical data, history, current photographs, directions and a trail narrative included on each.

The large-format paperback edition is $19.95 plus $2.00 for shipping from:

MKL Publishing
PO Box 407
Ballston Spa, NY 12020

It is also available in bookstores - ISBN: 0974620408

A full color CD-ROM version is also available for $16.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling.

Or alternatively, go to Paul's Website www.NYSFireTowers.com
by clicking on the icon to the left.

The Call Of Katahdin -
Life in Werler's Woods

Ed Werler and his wife Mary Jane were camping in the north woods of Maine when Ed first saw Mt. Katahdin. The mountain spoke to him, inviting him to begin the life his spirit had longed for, a life lived close to nature. Ed went back home, quit the best job he'd ever had, packed MJ and their two dogs Mickey and Pepper in the car, and headed north to his new job at the fire tower on Daicey Mountain near Katahdin, after which he became a park ranger at the Baxter State Park. Ed Werler heard the call of Katahdin and answered it. This is Ed's story.

Copies are limited and can be ordered from:

Cranberry Knoll Publishers
PO Box 1317
Yarmouth, ME 04096
$14.95 plus $3.00 for shipping (ME residents add 5% sales tax)

For more information, email marywebb@maine.rr.com

Al proceeds from the sale of this book will benefit "Friends of Maine State Parks"

"ADIRONDACK FIRE TOWERS: Their History and Lore, The Southern Districts"
Published by Purple Mountain Press of Fleischmanns, NY, covers the general history of the state fire prevention system from the late 19th century to the 1980s, when the role of the towers was diminished as air surveillance took over the function of fire spotting at reduced cost. Eventually, all of the towers were closed and many were removed, but recently several communities have restored their towers to be once again an attraction to hikers and a source of knowledge about the region.

by Marty Podskoch

Ordering info:
The 256-page, large-format book is available in local stores in a paperback edition for $20.00 ($2 shipping). It can also be purchased by contacting the author at podskoch@adelphia.net or (860-267-2442).

"Fire Towers of the Catskills"
Their History and Lore

by Marty Podskoch

Ordering info:
ISBN: 1930098103 Purple Mountain Press, 2000
Available for $20.00 plus $2 shipping
Author Contact - Contact the author at podskoch@adelphia.net or (860-267-2442).

"Mount Shasta's BLACK BUTTE"
Stories - History - Art - Geology - Photographs
Mount Shasta's Black Butte, edited by writer Bonnie Eddy and well-known photographer Jane English, is filled with stories, history, art, geology and photographs of this unique little peak that, were it not in the shadow of Mount Shasta, would be a well known landmark in its own right.

by Jane English & Bonnie Eddy

For ordering info, see the author's web site:
http://www.eheart.com/blackbutte/index.html

"Climbing the Ladder Less Traveled"
Captured by the author are the life experiences and insights of 18 remarkable lookouts. Their stories are fascinating and often humorous. Their memories of the past will appeal to those intrigued with the Wild West, while their lives in the present offer great insight into the protection of our wilderness.

by Joe Bill

ISBN: 0971778108
Published by Mountain Forest Publishing

$12.95 + $2.05 s/h = $15.00 per book

Mountain Forest Publishing
12240 N. Barrel Cactus Way
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Email: jbill@cox.net

Also available via Amazon.com

"THIS IS OUR FOREST: A Collection of Stories
from a Lookout-Smokechaser Who Worked in
the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho"

by Harold E. Coffman

ISBN: 0971554005
printed by: Morris Publishing, Kearney, NE
Published by HalMar Publications

$11.95 + $2.95 s/h = $14.90 per book
Check or Money Order

HalMar Publications
10240 W. Pleasant Valley Rd,
Sun City, AZ 85351-1842
(623) 977-1460