A USFS fire lookout on Bald Mountain in Butte County, California.

A fire lookout is used in remote areas, normally on mountain tops with high elevation and a good view of the surrounding terrain, to spot smoke caused by a wildland or vegetation fire.

Once spotted, so-called "Lookout Shots" are relayed to the to the local Emergency Communications Center (ECC), often by radio or phone. A "Lookout Shot" will normally contain the radial in degrees off the tower, the estimated distance from the tower, and any pertinent fire or weather information. Often several lookouts will overlap in coverage areas and each will “shoot” the same smoke, then the ECC will use triangulation from the radials reported to achieve a very accurate location of the fire.

Once ground crews and fire suppression aircraft are working the fire, the Lookout continues to search for new smoke plumes and, as a trained Fire Observer, keeps an eye out for any usual fire or weather behavior that could compromise the safety of those on the fire line.