Who We Are
Pole Mountain Fire Lookout protects our community and the natural environment by maintaining a vigilant watch over West Sonoma County during fire seasons. Our dedicated, trained staff is equipped to see and report smoke or other fire-related activities and assist California state agencies with information on local conditions so the proper resources and first responders can be quickly directed to the exact location of smoke, fire, or other emergency incidents. Pole Mountain Lookout has partnered with Sonoma Land Trust to create a permanent home for this icon at their Pole Mountain Preserve. It endures because of a dedicated community and generous donations. The lookout management has reorganized and new leadership has emerged. Updating lookout operations and providing modern technology are key priorities. Restored staffing means there will be backup for equipment failure, spotting puffs of smoke early, and aiding fire crews on the ground. The lookout currently hosts two high-performance 360° PTZ cameras, provided by Alert Wildfire in partnership with PG&E. One camera may be busy monitoring a fire while the other rotating camera continues to provide visibility for its approximate 25-mile operating range. As the technology improves, Pole Mountain Lookout will expand automated monitoring capabilities for the best possible coverage.
Our Purpose
The Pole Mountain Lookout provides a strategic coastal location for the early detection of wildfires. It is located between Cazadero and Jenner at an elevation of 2204’ feet, which provides an extravagant view from Bodega Bay to Timber Cove and inland to Lake and Napa Counties. The lookout can see Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, and the Snow Mountain Wilderness. The primary service area for the lookout is western Sonoma County, which lacks reliable cellular coverage and is not as populated as other portions of the county. The lookout has reported wildfires before anyone else, called “firsts” as far away as Cache Creek, averaging 1-2 “firsts” per year. It provides confirmation of fires that have already been reported and other critical information for fire fighters such as weather conditions, drift smoke, and a wildfire’s potential. We rely on our wonderful community to help us build our lookout via donations so that the lookout can watch over our community, recently plagued with frequent wildfires. Thank you so much for your continued support!
To complete construction of the new Pole Mountain Lookout, we must reach our goal of $200,000
We’re on a mission to construct a new fire lookout and could use your support! Your donations will help us create a lookout that keeps Sonoma County safe from fires and adds a new dimension to our surroundings. Let’s make it happen together! Your contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference. We appreciate all of our wonderful supporters!