Canada / North America - Fire Watch!!!

[ARSENAL]

Many years ago, my mate was going to travel to Canada or North America to have a 'working' holiday.  He decided he was going to spend some of his time as a fire lookout in the middle of a forest. He would be in a tower, which I take it he would live in, and spend his days looking out for Forest Fires.  He never done it, but I was wondering whether he was winding me up or not?  I am not sure how to look for this on the net. Any ideas.Thanks.

[Clanad]

Although I can't speak to Canada's use of the fire lookout towers, here in the U.S. they are largely gone from the scene.  Technology has rendered them useless.  Several of the lookout towers have been preserved though.  Some are museums and some are actually rented out to guests willing to make the ardous climb.  The originals were large, fairly comfortable rooms of about 30' X 30' size.  Of course, the view was fantastic.  The accomodations were spartan to say the least.  One had to go down the stairs and then walk several yards to the "outhouse" and potable water had to be carried.  I've been to several as a child, to hear Smoky Bear's "Only you can prevent forest fires" speech.  Even in their heyday, they were manned by trained observers, but the observers usually weren't full time National Forest Service personnel and this is the reference your friend had in mind...