Firetowers

For nearly a century, observers watched New York State's forests from more than 100 fire towers on the highest peaks, including 19 in the Catskill region, searching for signs of forest fires. Beginning in the 1980s, New York phased out fire tower use, and in 1990 the last observer in the Catskills ended his watch at the Red Hill Tower. As towers and observers' cabins deteriorated, some were dismantled and others closed for safety reasons, but with volunteer support and private donations the five remaining Catskill towers were restored and reopened to the public in 2000, and volunteers have since helped DEC maintain and interpret them.

Shandaken, New York · United States