Ute Mountain Fire Tower

Architecturally arid functionally the Ute Fire Tower is a unique entity in the state of Utah. Contacting State and Federal land administering agencies concluded that like structures were non-existent; that is one which operates or operated for the purpose of fire detection in addition to being designed as a tower.

The structure was occupied by Forest Service employees during the fire season, approximately between May and October. The enclosed table documents the number of fires on the Ranger District between the years 1955 and 1967 discovered by observers from the Tower.

The Ute Mountain Fire Tower was added to the National Historic Register (#80003895) on April 10, 1980. The text on this page is from the nomination form from when it was added.

In addition to nominating the site to the National Register and acquiring funding for its structural improvements, the Tower could be maintained for visitor interest and interpretation. If the immediate access road were improved, the Tower restored, and a Visitor Information Service (VIS) employee stationed at the site four hours a day during the tourist season, the Lookout would add varied attraction to the already existing interpretive features within the National Recreation Area of Flaming Gorge. The part-time employee at the Tower could also have the responsibility of Firewatch during his or her work hours as the view from its observatory is excellent in all directions. A pamphlet could be designed with photographs and written information pertaining to the history and nature of the Ute Lookout and a map supplied for reaching its location.

The Ute Fire Tower offers a view over a variety of Forest Service multiple-uses and areas of public interest. From the Observation deck one can see views of the historic Carter Military Road, examples of selective timber harvest, roads, wildlife, parks, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir, as well as views into Wyoming and Colorado. It could be developed to be publicly accessible either by road or hiking trail.

Personal comments from Lee Skabelund, a Fire Watchman at the Ute Fire Tower in 1964 are included for interest:

Supplies and food were purchased from either Manila or Vernal, Utah. A trip to town was taken every one or two weeks. Water was available at the Summit Springs Guard Station 2.5 miles to the east. The water containers were hauled up to the observation room using a pully-system. During clear evenings, when fire danger was low, the Firewatch spent time with the seasonal employees at the Guard Station for conversation and relaxation. Other pastimes included taking long walks, a favorite being to Browne Lake to the southwest for fishing, watching wildlife and writing. Each day during the tourist season 3 to 6 groups of visitors would come to the tower to be shown the set-up, explained the fire detection and suppression activities of the Forest Service and to see the spectacular view from the Lookout deck.