What is the main role of a fire lookout?

The primary role of a fire lookout is to detect and report wildfires. Fire lookouts are strategically positioned in high vantage points, such as towers, where they can observe large areas of forest and wilderness. Their primary responsibility is to keep watch for smoke or fire signs that may indicate the start of a wildfire. Once a potential fire is spotted, lookouts report the location and size of the fire to the appropriate firefighting agencies, ensuring a timely response to control or extinguish the flames before they can spread.

Monitoring weather conditions, while important, is not the main responsibility of a fire lookout. Weather can certainly influence fire behavior, but the lookout's focus is primarily on spotting fires. While combatting wildfires directly is a task for trained firefighting personnel, lookouts typically do not engage in direct firefighting activities. Similarly, performing rescues is outside the scope of a fire lookout’s duties, which center on detection and communication rather than direct intervention.