{"id":51426,"date":"2020-09-23T01:10:36","date_gmt":"2020-09-23T01:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/its-a-fantastic-view-of-it-all-fire-tower-turns-50\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T09:55:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T09:55:48","slug":"its-a-fantastic-view-of-it-all-fire-tower-turns-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/its-a-fantastic-view-of-it-all-fire-tower-turns-50\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018It\u2019s a fantastic view of it all\u2019; fire tower turns 50"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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DOLORES \u2013 Various birds zip and dive around the Benchmark Lookout fire tower as Rick Freimuth scans the horizon with binoculars for any sign of wildfire smoke.<\/p>\n

His panoramic view encompasses the surrounding foothills and peaks of the San Juan Mountains and stretches to Mesa Verde, the Dolores River Canyon rim and the Abajo and La Sal mountain ranges in Utah.<\/p>\n

Farther in the distance, Monument Valley and the Carrizo Mountains on the Navajo Reservation can be seen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look for smoke, anything different or out of place,\u201d Freimuth says. \u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic view of it all.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Benchmark Lookout Tower, located in the San Juan National Forest north of Dolores. The 42-foot-high tower sits at 9,262 feet elevation on a high ridge next to Glade Mountain.<\/p>\n

It is one of six fire lookout towers staffed in Colorado out of 14 that are still standing.<\/p>\n

\"Rick
Rick Freimuth scans the horizon looking for smoke, as he and his wife, Linda, have been doing from the Benchmark Lookout Tower for the past three years.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The Benchmark Lookout Tower north of Dolores has been in operation for the past 50 years.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

There were once 8,000 fire lookouts across the U.S. Now, just 2,500 remain and only about 400 are staffed, including employees and volunteers, according to the Forest Fire Lookout Association.<\/a><\/p>\n

Benchmark is relied on by the San Juan National Forest and surrounding land agencies to spot and monitor new fires to assist firefighters on the ground.<\/p>\n

Most new fires spotted are 35 to 50 miles away, but on a clear day, they can be seen more than 70 miles away.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe early detection from a lookout provides information quickly on the staffing needs of a wildfire,\u201d said Ranger Derek Padilla of the forest\u2019s Dolores District. \u201cIt allows for a faster decision time and a faster response for suppression if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benchmark can call in new fires in forest, Bureau of Land Management and Ute Mountain Ute lands as well as Mesa Verde National Park, the Uncompahgre Plateau and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Last year, the tower reported a new fire in Bears Ears National Monument in Utah.<\/p>\n

Since 2018, Freimuth has called in 74 smoke reports, including about five in Utah.<\/p>\n

\"Rick
Rick and Linda Freimuth have lived in the Benchmark Lookout Tower for the past three years during fire season northwest of Dolores. The 14-by-14-foot living space is plenty for the two of them, they say.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Besides watching for fires, Freimuth monitors weather and lightning and informs firefighters about fire behavior, and wind and storm patterns.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelaying information such as sudden changes in wind direction is critical for firefighter safety,\u201d Freimuth said. \u201cI can see cell buildup and let them know it is coming. If the wind picks up, I can notify firefighters down in a canyon who may not know about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

From his vantage point, he also watches for spot fires, ember showers and flare-ups, then phones or radios in the information. He may text firefighters photos of storms and fire conditions.<\/p>\n

\"Rick
Rick Freimuth uses an Osborne Firefinder in the Benchmark Lookout Tower north of Dolores.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Freimuth uses an Osborne Fire Finder and detailed maps to determine the GPS coordinates of a new fire, then relays the information to dispatch. He partners with the lookout tower at Mesa Verde National Park to help pinpoint and triangulate fire locations.<\/p>\n

Freimuth has monitored and provided information on numerous fires, including the Plateau, Burro, Horse Park, Doe Canyon and Yellow Jacket fires. He helps to monitor prescribed burns as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am the eyes up here for fire weather and fire behavior,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The real-time weather and fire information of a lookout is essential, Padilla said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat long-distance view of storms approaching is needed information. Changes in wind direction can suddenly cause the fire to come right at you,\u201d Padilla said. \u201cWith Rick\u2019s observations, we can change tactics or take cover.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reporting changes in smoke direction and type also indicates how the fire may behave in the coming hours. For example, white smoke indicates less intensity and lighter fuels, and thick black smoke indicates higher intensity in heavy fuels.<\/p>\n

A fire\u2019s behavior also lets firefighters know about intense activity such as crowning and tree torching. On the Burro Fire, Freimuth plotted and called in a spot fire that flared to the north.<\/p>\n

Every day, Freimuth is provided with maps of recent lightning strikes. He double-checks those areas for signs of smoke and fire. Wherever lightning is observed, the location is closely watched as they can cause \u201csleeper fires\u201d that flare up days later.<\/p>\n

\"A
A closer view of Lone Cone as seen from Benchmark Lookout Tower northwest of Dolores.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
A quiet job, until it\u2019s not<\/div>\n

Benchmark Lookout was built in 1970 to replace Glade Mountain Lookout. The tower includes a 14-by-14-foot cab enclosed in thick windows. An outdoor catwalk goes around the cab.<\/p>\n

New solar panels were recently installed, along with a rooftop camera that is monitored when lookouts have days off.<\/p>\n

Life in the fire lookout is a combination of peaceful quiet punctuated by the excitement of a new line of smoke, heavy storms and mountain lions and bears wandering by.<\/p>\n

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