Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association

PHOTOGRAPHS
2001 On Duty!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SOUTH MOUNT HAWKINS:

	The Tower located at the very top of South Mount Hawkins. This picture is taken from the Highway 2 below Crystal Lake.
	Using a super powerful zoom lens, this is a close up of the tower from the picture above.
	After arriving at the tower, the Lookout Operator goes through several procedures to unlock the gates, open up the trap door, raise the shutters and open the tower up. It all takes about an hour to do everything, and after the Lookout calls "In Service" he/she can then raise the American Flag on the pole. Hikers can see the flag for miles and they know there is an outpost in the middle of the wilderness if they need help. Raising the flag is a very proud moment and the ceremony is taken very seriously.
	Inside looking East: After climbing the 30 foot tower, and opening the tower, the Lookout must carry up his/her gear. No valuables at all are left in the towers. Even the sheets are taken down to be cleaned and rotated.
	Inside looking South: The Fire Finder (half visible on far left picture) known as the "Osborn" is also set up. The Lookout is almost ready to go.
	Sitting on the job? Not quite... one of the Lookout's duties is to take a weather reports. Although we no longer provide weather reports to Angeles Dispatch, because that is mostly done by computer sensors in the mountains, we continue to take weather readings for two reasons. 1. It gives the Fire Lookout an idea regarding current fire weather conditions. The less humidity, the greater chance of fire. Today is kind of low humidity. 2. It is a historic tradition that Lookouts took these weather reports, so we still do. Note the gas stove. Nothing like a hot cup of coffee or tea in a cold tower.
	Looking West: The map table is setup and on the wall the wind aeronomiter gives the Lookout wind speed indications. On the lower right of the photo you see the open log book that the Lookout use to record important events.
	With the tower open, the lookout calls to the Angeles National Forest Emergency Dispatch Center, "Angeles, South Mount Hawkins in Service". The call comes back, "South Mount Hawkins, Angeles, Time 0801 hours." Now the lookout can actually leave the tower as long as he keeps his radio and a pair of binoculars handy. The operator is the lookout, not the tower. But the tower is needed to keep the Lookouts "on station" for longer periods of time and to provide better visibility.
	The Fire Lookout does a "scan" or as some call it, "walking the tower" by making a 360 degree check of the area. In this picture, looking to the East is the majestic Mt. Baldy at 10,084 feet is the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountain Range and the Angeles National Forest. The area below Mt. Baldy is the Big Horn Sheep Wilderness Area, a roadless, steep and unforgiving territory where many hikers and backpackers enjoy going. If a fast moving fire occurs here, helicopters must search for people that might get stuck in this remote area. The Lookout Tower provides the best early fire detection for this roadless area.
	Looking North, is Mount Baden-Powell and Mount Hawkins. This is an area where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses, and just beyond the ridges are the towns of Wrightwood and Table Mountain. This tower also provides protection for several communities.
	Looking West, the tower can see Mt. Wilson and Mt. Monrovia. Also, very far in the distance is the "Vetter Mountain" fire lookout tower. The two towers cover different areas of the mountains so there is not much overlap. In the "old days" there used to be 27 fire lookout towers in the Angeles, but now there are only 2 left.
	View South: WOW! This is a fantastic view looking South towards the city and the Pacific Ocean. You can see Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island from here. And the view at night... well... wow.
	Just as the Fire Lookout finishes his scan, it's time to use the "can". There are no bathrooms in the tower, so he/she has to climb down the 30 foot tower and walk across the summit to the outhouse (in green behind the tree on left) to take care of business. Imagine doing that at 2 AM in the morning, when it is 33 degrees and dark! The garage is also used to store some non critical supplies. A picnic table is nice for the Lookout and hikers that make the Tower their destination. Again, the Lookout can walk-about as long as he/she has the radio and binoculars. Time to get back to the tower.
	Back at the tower, time to do another check and... wait... what is that??? Could it be?? Here we go... there is a small puff of smoke rising from a ridge towards the South. All visitors in the Tower are asked to step aside and be very quiet while the Fire Lookout does his/her duty!!!
	First things first... go to the clip board and start the check list. Next, go to the Osborne Fire Finder and spot the location on the map. Location: 172 degrees, 5.2 miles. Next grab the radio... "Angeles, South Mount Hawkins" "South Mount Hawkins, Angeles, go ahead" "Angeles, South Mount Hawkins Smoke Report... Bearing 172 degrees... Distance 5.2 miles... Light Smoke" "South Mount Hawkins, Angeles, copy, smoke report bearing 172 degrees, distance 5.2 miles, light smoke." Angeles, South Mount Hawkins Copy" Then it starts... There are three bells on the radio alerting all fire stations there is an alert coming. First out is fire station 25 and 22, and the ANF helicopter is scrambled too. The resources of the Angeles National Forest are on their way to inspect and if needed, surpress (put out) the fire. The location of the fire is in Azusa Canyon, a popular place for people to swim and bbq, but now they are in danger.
	When the alert goes out... it is up to the brave men and women of the fire services to do their thing. They mount up in their fire trucks and head off towards the fire. We can see that it is spreading and the smoke is getting bigger. It will take a few minutes for fire resources to deploy. In the meantime, the Fire Lookout must not be distracted. He/she must continue to scan 360 degrees just in case another fire starts up.
	Here come the troops! The ANF helicopter makes a flyby the tower on their way to the fire. Sometimes if a fire is hard to find, the pilots will fly right over the tower, then head out on the 172 degree bearing for 5.2 miles. But in this case the pilot can clearly see the smoke and heads straight for it. The Pilot might be tempted to call the Lookout and say "Thanks" but radio silence is kept for emergency traffic only.
	The fire is really going now, but the crews arrive just in time to keep it from going out of control. Radio traffic buzzes with coordination between Angeles National Forest and Los Angeles County Fire Departments. Our Helicopter helps knock down the flames.
	With early detection, fast ground response and Air support, this fire is brought under control and allowed to control burn a few acres to help the environment. Left unchecked, the fire could have turned "wild" and caused massive damage. Thanks to the efforts of hard working professionals and the volunteer Lookout Operators, this incident is contained and crews head home.

	On September 1st, 2002, the South Mount Hawkins Lookout Tower itself was destroyed by a wildland fire. We need this tower rebuilt.