Description
Monitor forests and wildlands from towers or patrols to detect smoke and fire, report incidents and weather conditions, and support public safety and prevention during high fire danger.
- • Monitor assigned areas for smoke, fire, and hazardous conditions.
- • Alert dispatch and initiate response protocols when smoke or fire is detected.
- • Relay emergency messages, crew locations, and hazard updates via radio or phone.
- • Estimate fire location, size, and behavior; provide timely, accurate reports.
- • Plot fire locations on maps using azimuth sighters, GPS, and landmarks.
- • Compile and report weather observations, including temperature, humidity, wind, and clouds.
- • Maintain logs of observations, incidents, and daily activities.
- • Patrol trails, roads, and campsites to identify fire hazards and unsafe activities.
- • Advise visitors on fire safety rules, restrictions, and current fire danger levels.
- • Post warnings, closure notices, and restriction signs during critical fire periods.
- • Suppress small spot fires with hand tools and portable extinguishers when safe.
- • Inspect and maintain lookout and patrol equipment, such as radios, binoculars, maps, and extinguishers.
- • Request maintenance or replacement of defective equipment and supplies.
- • Report hazardous fuel accumulations, debris burns, and other risks to supervisors.
- • Participate in training and drills for lookout operations, communications, and initial response.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
