The NYS Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association is pleased to announce the 12th Annual Lighting of the Fire Tower Event! Saturday, August 30th 8:30 pm we hope to have a light begin to shine in the cab of many towers across NYS! Last year we had so many wonderful volunteers that we were able to light over 30 towers! We hope to increase that number this year. In the event of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, August 31st at 8:30pm. The event is done to honor the men and women who worked in these historic towers; protecting homes, businesses, communities and surrounding forests. The plan is to place a light in fire towers around the state from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. We invite people to go to locations around the community (listed on our website) where they can look up, see the light on the horizon and remember that there was a fire tower there watching over them. Thank you to Doug Hamilton for this wonderful idea to honor the past! This is not a hiking event! This is an invitation to visit an area in your community where you can see the fire tower light come on when you look up. Plan a small gathering, plan refreshments and enjoy! All Illuminators will read aloud the names of those who served in the towers as they turn on the light. If you have any questions, please reach out to lauriejrankin@gmail.com and she will get you all the information you will need. They will open registration for veteran Illuminators on July 20th and for new persons who are interested registration will open on July 28th. They will close registration on August 18th to allow time for all Illuminators to get their advertisements out. Additional information can be found at our website:  www.nysffla.org

Please remember this is not a hiking event! This event is tailored for individuals to view from a distance, gazing upward and reflecting as they witness the radiant light emanating from the fire tower.