Northwest Montana Lookout Association

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Northwest Montana Lookout Association

NMLA is an organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic fire lookouts

10/13/2026

2nd of 4!!
Brews for Benefits
Cabinet Mountain Brewing Co
Libby, Montana
Every Tuesday during the month of October - Starting the 6th
From 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Celebrating the restoration of Mount Wam Lookout

09/17/2026

🌲 Big news for public lands and fire detection! 🏔️
The historic Zeigler Mountain Lookout in the Kootenai National Forest (KNF) is one step closer to "potentially" being restaffed!
Located atop a flat 20-acre summit at an elevation of 5,296 feet, this incredible site has a rich history dating back to 1915. The current 32-foot treated-timber R-6 flat-top tower has stood tall since 1959, overlooking the rugged terrain below.
Recently, a dedicated team—Lookout Board Members Deb and Bob Starling, alongside Chuck and Nancy Manning—conducted a thorough condition assessment for the Libby Ranger District to see if the lookout could be brought back into service for future fire detection.
The verdict? It looks fantastic!
The tower, catwalk, and cab exterior are all in good condition.
While the door was securely sealed against pests, the team removed two window shutters to peak inside.
The interior is in very good shape, still holds the basic equipment needed for restaffing, and shows absolutely no signs of rodent activity!
A huge thank you to the assessment team for their hard work in preserving and evaluating this vital piece of forest history. Stay tuned for updates on the future of Zeigler Mountain Lookout! 🪵🔍

09/14/2026

WAM Lookout Update: What a Difference!

We have an important correction and an exciting visual update to share! It turns out the photos we uploaded last month were actually from 2016, (first 3 photos) captured well before our major restoration efforts began.
Take a look at these fresh shots from Summer 2026! The transformation is absolutely incredible, and the structure looks better than ever.

Huge thanks to volunteers Ashley Ehrmantrout, Steve Glow, and Chuck Manning for repairing the shutters and building a new one for the entry door.
None of this would be possible without the incredible pack support from the Northwest Montana Back Country Horsemen (NWMTBCH)!
Packed in: Alden Totten and his daughter, Seline.
Packed out: Guadalupe, Ezekiel, and Abraham Chentnik.
Thank you, NWMTBCH, for keeping our historic trails and structures alive! . What a difference a dedicated crew can make!

Preserving a piece of Montana history!
Perched at 7,121 feet in the stunning Ten Lakes area, the Mount Wam Lookout is one of the last remaining gable-roof L-4 lookouts. Built in 1931 and retired from active fire duty in the 1950s, this Kootenai National Forest gem now serves as a vital shelter for Pacific Northwest Trail thru-hikers.
To protect it from harsh mountaintop weather, the Northwest Montana Lookout Association stepped up!

09/08/2026

🌲 Throwback Tuesday: The Rich History of Keeler Lookout! 🌲

Located in the rugged beauty of Northwest Montana, Keeler Lookout holds over a century of fire-detection history.Here is a look back at how this historic site evolved:
1924: The site was first put to use with a 50-foot platform tower and an accompanying log cabin. (The remnants of this historic cabin are still standing today!)
1934: A 50-foot pole tower featuring an L-4 cab replaced the original structure.1963: The present 53-foot treated timber tower with an R-6 flat cab was constructed.
Today, this iconic 1963 tower is still maintained and stands ready for use during emergencies.
🐻 Important Access Note: Please remember that the access road to Keeler Lookout is permanently closed to motorized vehicles to protect vital grizzly bear habitat.Check out the photos below to see general shots of the standing lookout tower, alongside glimpses of what remains of the original 1924 log cabin!

09/06/2026

🌲 Preserving History: Robinson Mountain Lookout 🌲

We are excited to share an update on the historic Robinson Mountain Lookout in the Kootenai National Forest!
Standing proud at 7,404 feet and just a few miles south of the Canadian border, this 12-by-14-foot shake-and-frame cabin was built in 1929. It is one of the few remaining gable-roof cupola lookouts left in Montana and northern Idaho.
After being abandoned in 1948, it was brought back to life by the Kootenai National Forest in 1983.
A dedicated team recently headed up the mountain to conduct a thorough condition assessment. Huge thanks to:Gary Weber (National FFLA Treasurer) & Chuck Manning (NWLA)for conducting the assessment.Marcy Goheen & Traci Swope from the Ksanka Ranger District for their vital assistance. Atlee Yoder, a local resident who supplied the riding stock and has spent countless hours stabilizing and maintaining this lookout over the years.
The Verdict: Overall, the structure remains in good condition! It will require some future attention to resolve a few specific structural issues alongside ongoing maintenance, but this piece of northwest Montana history is standing strong.Thank you to everyone involved in keeping our lookouts alive! 🥾
Huge photo upload but it tells such a beautiful story I just couldn't help myself!!
⛰️

09/04/2026

Meet Larry Shadow, an incredible volunteer for Northwest Montana Lookout Association (NWLA)!
Larry first learned about Swede Mountain while volunteering with NWLA. Last summer, at the amazing age of 82, he finally fulfilled a lifelong dream. He lived "in the clouds" while staffing the fire lookout at Mount Swede!Thank you, Larry, for sharing your story and your dedication. Keep on keeping on! 🌲⛰️

08/18/2026

🌲 Preserving a piece of Montana history! 🌲
Perched at 7,121 feet in the stunning Ten Lakes area, the Mount Wam Lookout is one of the last remaining gable-roof L-4 lookouts. Built in 1931 and retired from active fire duty in the 1950s, this Kootenai National Forest gem now serves as a vital shelter for Pacific Northwest Trail thru-hikers. 🥾⛰️

To protect it from harsh mountaintop weather, the Northwest Montana Lookout Association stepped up! Huge thanks to volunteers Ashley Ehrmantrout, Steve Glow, and Chuck Manning for repairing the shutters and building a new one for the entry door. 🛠️

None of this would be possible without the incredible pack support from the Northwest Montana Back Country Horsemen (NWMTBCH)! 🐴
Packed in: Alden Totten and his daughter, Seline.
Packed out: Guadalupe, Ezekiel, and Abraham Chentnik.
Thank you, NWMTBCH, for keeping our historic trails and structures alive! ✨

07/15/2026

🌲 Powering Partnerships: McGuire Lookout Restorations! 🌲
A massive shout-out and thank you to the incredible crew who made a heavy lift look easy early last week!

Andrew Cote from the Riverstone Family Lodge and Alden Totten, along with an amazing group from the Northwest Montana Backcountry Horsemen, packed in vital supplies to the McGuire Mountain Lookout.

This is a fantastic example of what happens when independent local businesses and dedicated non-profits team up. It truly takes a village—and some serious horsepower—to keep these historic treasures preserved.

The next time you hike up to the McGuire Mountain Lookout or enjoy a stay booked through Recreation.gov, take a look around! It really makes you appreciate the immense hard work, sweat, and dedication our volunteers pour into restoring and maintaining the beautiful lookouts of Northwest Montana.

Thank you to everyone involved for keeping history alive and accessible! 🪵🐴✨

,https://nwmt-ffla.org/

07/12/2026

McGuire Mountain Lookout: Preserving history with a view! We are thrilled to share a look at the recent shutter installation on the lookout. There is a unique beauty in restoring these historic structures—breathing new life into their rugged wood and glass so they can continue to stand watch over the spectacular Northwest Montana wilderness. A massive thank you to our incredible volunteer, Barb Hvizdak, prepping for a shutter install who have the dedication, and the passion required to keep these treasures alive. The. shutter will lay on the roof and be pulled closed and secure during winter. Check out the transformation and the views from the top!
To learn more about us, check us out at https://nwmt-ffla.org

06/20/2026

Heading up to a fire lookout this weekend? 🌲 There is nothing quite like reaching the summit and seeing one of these historic towers in action!

While lookouts love visitors and sharing their passion for the mountains, it’s important to remember that these cabs are both active, critical workstations and private homes. Before you lace up your boots, check out these quick etiquette tips from the NMLA to ensure a safe, respectful, and awesome visit for both you and the lookout on duty.

Address

Kalispell, MT
59903

Telephone

+14062538661

Website

http://nwmt-ffla.org/

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