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Preventing the next big forest fire, San Diego County volunteers staff lookout towers

Posted at 5:59 PM, Jul 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-13 02:13:42-04

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN, Calif. (KGTV) - High atop Palomar Mountain, a team of volunteers works diligently to report any sign of fire as fast as they can.

They are part of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, an all volunteer group that staff the Boucher Hill Lookout and Highpoint Lookout towers on Palomar Mountain.

"We can detect a smoke where there's not supposed to be smoke in just a few seconds," said Neil Cadwallader, the assistant chairman of the FFLA.

Despite the effectiveness, the Boucher Hill Lookout was closed in 1983. It wasn't until 2012 that it reopened as California headed into an extended drought, staffed solely by volunteers.

For more information on volunteering opportunities, visit the Forest Fire Lookout Association website.