Lighting of Fire Towers
Lighting of Fire Towers
Lighting of the Fire Towers 2026
Saturday, September 5, 2026
The Fire Tower Illumination marks the onset of a statewide tradition. Its inception lies in the desire to extend the glow on the horizon to distant observers, inviting them to reflect upon and honor an era when the Park fire towers were manned by individuals whose main task was to safeguard both the community and the encompassing woodlands.
Numerous fire towers nestled in the Adirondacks region will once again partake in the annual, synchronized illumination of these iconic structures. Marking the milestone of the 13th annual occurrence, a group of dedicated volunteers will light up the fire towers on the evening of Saturday, September 5, precisely between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. with an option for an Illuminator to keep the tower lit until 9:30 pm if they choose.
Rain date - September 6th
Sign ups begin July 20th for Veteran Illuminators and July 27th for New Illuminators. Deadline to sign up is August 25th.
This event is organized by the The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association and more information via their website can be found here .
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.
The Adirondack Fire Towers participating in the tribute included:
Check back as the 2026 list is updated.
Mount Arab (Visible from Route 3 west of Tupper Lake - Piercefield Flow)
Adams (Visible from Tahawus Road in Newcomb)
Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown
Hurricane (Visible from Route 73 near the Village of Keene)
Makomis (Speculator)
Mt. Morris (a/k/a Big Tupper - Visible from Tupper Lake)
Owl's Head (Visible From Lake Eaton State Park beach in Long Lake - Mt. Sabattis side)
St. Regis (Visible from Paul Smith's VIC)
Lighting of Fire Towers
Lighting of the fire towers reflects on an era when dedicated individuals vigilantly manned the fire towers, safeguarding both the community and the encompassing woodlands.
