Fall 2020 LOCALadk Magazine 59
LOCALadk
Fire towers have become an iconic symbol of Adiron-
dack histor y, with over 30 towers still standing amongst
the peaks. These monolithic structures standing sentinel
over the wilderness were erected as part of a statewide
wildfire management program established in the early
1900s. A full team of firetower obser vers was employed
to weather the elements at the top of these towers,
scanning the horizon for any sign of a blaze.
The firetowers proved to be an extremely ef-
fective tool for locating and reporting fires through the
mid-1900s. By the 70s, however, flights over the region
became the preferred method for fire monitoring. As the
need for firetowers dwindled so did their care, and many
of the towers were either torn down or abandoned and
left to rust.
Fortunately for firetower lovers, various coalitions
have banded together to maintain and protect the 25
public towers remaining in the Adirondacks. The annual
firetower lighting held September 5th, 2020 is the 7th
annual lighting, paying homage to those who spent years
watching over the wilderness through high winds, scorch-
ing summer sun, and fierce storms. Over 20 towers in the
Adirondacks and Catskills participated this year.
Annual Fire Tower Lighting Pays Tribute to
Fire Observers
Matt Aldi
Hadley Mountain Firetower
