National Lookout Day

Celebrated on 04/20/2026

Quick Fact

National Lookout Day, first observed in 1947, was inspired by the heroic actions of volunteer fire lookouts who saved countless lives during the 1910 Great Fire. The day is celebrated on August 10th, the anniversary of the founding of the first official lookout tower in Montana in 1905.

Origins and Establishment of National Lookout Day

National Lookout Day was established in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman following a campaign by the U.S. Forest Service and the National Fire Protection Association. The holiday was created to honor the contributions of fire lookouts, whose vigilance had prevented numerous wildfires from becoming catastrophic. The date, August 10th, was chosen to commemorate the opening of the first official fire lookout tower on Saddle Mountain in Montana in 1905.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over the decades, National Lookout Day has evolved from a simple recognition of lookouts to a broader celebration of fire safety and prevention. In the 1960s, the day began to include educational programs in schools about wildfire prevention. Today, it is marked by open houses at lookout towers, social media campaigns using #NationalLookoutDay, and community events that highlight the role of technology in modern fire detection, such as drones and satellite imagery.

Facts & General Observations

• There are currently over 2,500 active fire lookout towers in the United States, though only about 500 are staffed year-round.
• The tallest fire lookout tower in the U.S. is the Mount San Antonio Lookout in California, standing at 10,064 feet.
• In 2020, the use of lookouts helped reduce wildfire damage by an estimated $1.2 billion compared to relying solely on satellite surveillance.

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