Event supports work to preserve historic fire lookouts

The Northwest Montana Lookout Association is hosting a fundraising event on May 30 to support the preservation of historic fire lookouts. 

Hosted by the Trego Pub and Eatery, this event supports the vital restoration of lookouts across the Kootenai National Forest and the broader Northwest Montana region. The evening runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Live music from Deep Creek Union will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Representatives of the lookout association will be on-site from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to discuss ongoing projects and local fire lookout history. 

During normal business hours on the day of the event, the Trego Pub & Eatery will donate $1 from every pint sold directly to the association. These funds will help support the physical restoration and assessments of iconic structures such as McGuire Mountain, Mount Wam, and Stahl Peak. 

The history of these lookouts dates back to the 1920s. Today, approximately 35 of these structures still stand in Northwest Montana. The association works in close partnership with the Kootenai and Flathead National forests, Glacier National Park, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources to ensure these landmarks remain for future generations. 

The Northwest Montana Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization. Its mission is to support federal and state agencies in the restoration and maintenance of fire lookouts and historic support structures on public lands. 

For more information, visit nwmt-ffla.org.