Lookout Tech Spec L.O.T.S
Lookout Tech Spec (L.O.T.S) is an ongoing collaborative speculative-design project exploring contemporary narratives of wildfire management through the material culture and practice of fire lookouts in the Pacific Northwest. The series of sculptures represent common tools, gear, and speculative technology to speak to the valuable work of backcountry lookout tower personnel, a public service that is equal parts landscape observation and weather reporting, punctuated by adrenal-spiked smoke sightings. Although the technology of wildfire observation has changed dramatically in recent decades, the lookout’s essential tools are relatively low-tech and have changed little since the birth of modern wildfire management following the “Big Blow Up” of 1910. In addition to specialized wildfire observation and communication tools, everyday low-tech equipment and tools help capture a glimpse of the remote vocational experience of mountain top lookouts across the PNW.
The Lookout Tech Spec series of work are mixed-media sculptures created from upcycled materials: mass timber and CLT byproducts, vintage camping equipment, decommissioned forestry and field research equipment, and other readily available bits and bobs from the “ye olde DIY backcountry shoppe.”
The Lookout Tech Spec Kit currently includes the following: Hands-Free Binoculars, Firefly Flashlight, Cricket Amp, Lookout Rescue Beacon, Wind-Powered Privy Search Light, Chopper Headlight Lanturn, Best Fren Fly Swatter, Killer-B Epinephrine Auto-injectors, Heli LZ Light Kit, Model IEV multi-tool, and one Arboreal Football (in secure fireproof case).
Hands-Free Binoculars
Binoculars are the essential tool in the lookout’s kit, which makes it unfortunate when backpacking visitors ask to borrow the treasured binocs hoping to scout their destination and accidently drop them.
Spec Note: If one does not hold the binoculars, can one still drop the binoculars?
Model IEV Multi-tool
If you could only take one hand tool with you up to the mountain top lookout tower, the twelve-in-one fire watch lookout multi-tool seems like a good bet…at first glance. Still, let us be honest, a twelve in one multi-tool is like a twelve-song album with only one good song; the bottle opener.
Spec Fabrication Note: The custom mass-timber handle of the Model IEV Multi-tool is made possible by a traditional, however unsanctioned, private-public partnership with a dumpster at an "advanced wood products lab" in Corvallis, Oregon.
Arboreal Football
(in secure fireproof wood-product case)
Spec Note: The front and back of the Arboreal Football case features swappable warning signs for emergency situation communication.
Wind Powered Outhouse Locator Lantern
Passing wind on a midnight race to the outhouse? The wind-powered lantern is a handy light to locate the privy on the darkest of moonless nights. The alternative energy powered lantern is a favorite of lookouts who would rather not live without their city-creature comforts.
"Best Fren" Fly Swatters
According to Kennedy Marie Rauh’s design-research on the PNW lookout tower experience, the fly swatter is an essential survival tool. Swarms of buzzing “cab flies” are annoying at best, a health hazard at worst. There is ongoing debate among vocational psychologists whether it is simply the lack of flies or the welcome distraction of hunting the flies that makes the fly swatter a treasure tool in the tower cabin.
Spec Note: Given the frequent use of the fly swatter, thin aluminum sheet metal is the preferred material for the swatter head. Recycled safety signs were used in the fabrication of these tower fashioned examples.
Firefly Flashlight
(documented without bioluminescent bugs)
According to Kennedy Marie Rauh’s design-research on the PNW lookout tower experience, the fly swatter is an essential survival tool. Swarms of buzzing “cab flies” are annoying at best, a health hazard at worst. There is ongoing debate among vocational psychologists whether it is simply the lack of flies or the welcome distraction of hunting the flies that makes the fly swatter a treasure tool in the tower cabin.
Spec Note: Given the frequent use of the fly swatter, thin aluminum sheet metal is the preferred material for the swatter head. Recycled safety signs were used in the fabrication of these tower fashioned examples.
Paper Product Dispenser
Sometime it just makes sense to repurpose an old tool for an even older daily ritual.
Spec Note: Under no circumstances should one ever leave an empty TP roll when visiting a lookout’s outhouse.
Chopper Headlight Lantern
The Chopper Headlight Lantern is just a cool looking flashlight that is heavy enough to be a paper-weight in high wind conditions.
Tech Spec: The black silicon tape on the lens helps the glass not shatter into countless pieces in the event the lantern is dropped.
Killer-B Epinephrine Auto-injectors
One of the most common daily threats to fire lookout personnel is the bald-faced wasp. These wasps can bite, sting, and even shoot venom. Despite years of preparedness training and experience in avoiding these aggressive creatures, an unfortunate lookout may need to use the killer-b epinephrine auto-injector (shown here in grandfather’s favorite mug).
Spec Note: To self-treat, place the white tip against the middle of the outer thigh (upper leg). Be sure to keep injector perpendicular to the thigh. Swing and firmly push the auto-injector button until it “clicks.” The click signals that the injection has started. Hold the injector firmly in place for 3 seconds. Count slowly: one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi-gawd-damn!
Credits and Acknowledgements
Mass timber and CLT material for this project were provided by OSU’s A.A. “Red” Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Laboratory. Many thanks to Phil Mann for sharing the material wonders of modern wood products with our studio.
Many thanks to Rob Mutch for sharing his lookout tower experience and insight. Rob is an immensely talented ecosystem photographer and seasonal wildfire lookout at Carpenter Mountain, Willamette National Forest, Oregon, USA.
This work is funded by the Fuller Initiative for Productive Landscape at the University of Oregon, Oregon State University Foundation’s Andrews Forest Fund, and the sale of artwork on DBB’s website.