Fire Lookout Program offers training for new volunteers

Arcadia, Calif., April 29, 2015—For Immediate Release. The Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association are recruiting volunteers to staff the last remaining fire lookout on the Angeles National Forest for the 2015 season. We are also looking for Volunteers to staff the busy Chilao Visitor Center. Lookout volunteers help to protect the forest and local mountain communities against the threat of fire. Their coverage extends to the communities along and outside of the forest boundary.

The organization is currently looking for hikers to volunteer for the summer to staff Slide Mountain Lookout, also looking for volunteers to staff Vetter Mountain Peak and also looking for Volunteers to staff the Chilao Visitor Center. Volunteers will be expected not only to gaze lovingly at their beautiful surroundings to look for signs of smoke or fire, but also be aware of current fire conditions, as well as offer services as a historical interpreter for the fire lookout system.

New volunteer trainings are scheduled to begin on May 2nd at 10:00am and May 7th at 6:30pm. Training will be held at the Supervisor Office in Arcadia 701 N. Santa Anita Arcadia. Fire Lookout and Chilao Visitor Center volunteers are required to volunteer 8 hours a month between May and November. There are four parts to training that must be completed:

1. Orientation- a two-hour introduction to the program

2. Interpretation/Natural History- a three-hour class

3. Operations-an all-day seven-hour class

4. In-Tower Training- an eight-hour hands-on training in the Lookout with an experienced host

5. Chilao Visitor Center is an 8 hour hands-on at the Center

For additional information and training dates please go to the Angeles National Forest Fire Lookout Association website: http://anffla.org