AGE: 56
EMPLOYER: Coconino National Forest
YEARS ON THE JOB: 25
EQUIPMENT: Binoculars, radio, maps and a
fire-finder tool that helps to pinpoint the
location of a fire.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Stationed at towers
overlooking Arizona’s forests, fire lookouts
look for signs of fires and observe,
plot and report weather conditions. If
lookouts spot smoke, they radio crews
who then dispatch firefighters.
HOURS: Lookouts work seasonally
through Arizona’s fire season, which
generally runs from mid-May through
mid-September. During the on-season,
Payne works up to 14 days in a row, on
8- to 16-hour shifts.
DOWNTIME: Between regular fire checks
from her tower, Payne takes hikes
through the forest and picks berries to
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make jam and wild raspberry muffins.
“I have lots of time for reading. I love
to read; there’s so many good books.
And I quilt."
UNPLUGGED: Between shifts, Payne stays
in a small, rustic cabin that has no electricity.
She has a small refrigerator and
stove that run on propane, and water is
brought in by the truckload.
TOURISTS: Because Payne’s tower is close
to a well-traveled forest road, she gets
regular visitors who come to tour the
tower and take in the magnificent view.
“Sometimes you don’t see anyone for
days; sometimes you’ll get those holiday
weekends where there’ll be 100 people
and they’re all waiting in line to come
up.”
DANGERS: Animal attacks, bee stings and
lightning strikes.
DIFFICULTIES: “The worst part about this
job is the cold. When it’s 60 below with
the wind-chill, you can even see the
dogs’ breath.”
DELIGHTS: “The best part is the solitude,
the wildlife and the view.”
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