Volunteer Lookout George Pierce demonstrates how to use the Osborne Firefinder. Some of the best classrooms don't have walls. On September 10th the Buck Rock Foundation's "More Kids in the Woods" team proved exactly that, welcoming a group of eager 4th graders from Three Rivers Elementary School for a day of hands-on outdoor education that no...
Summer 2025 marked a milestone for conservation in the Sequoia National Forest, as two Student Conservation Association crews spent nine weeks breathing new life into trails closed since the Rough Fire of 2015. A Decade in the Making When the Rough Fire swept through the Sequoia National Forest in 2015, it consumed nearly 151,000 acres, including a...
Buck Rock Foundation brings environmental education back to life with local students After a 13-year hiatus, the Buck Rock Foundation is pleased to share another successful edition of "More Kids in the Woods" – an outdoor education program that transforms the way students learn by taking them from the classroom into the outdoors and the incredible...
There are some positive changes happening at Park Ridge Fire Lookout, and we’re excited to share the news. A New Heart for the Kitchen After years of faithful service, our decades old stove finally needed to retire. While it was bittersweet to say goodbye to a piece of lookout history (we even found an old photo of...
The dedication of our volunteer community continues to shine through as we work together to maintain and preserve the historic Buck Rock Lookout. Over two productive workdays this summer the Buck Rock Foundation Facility Team - an exceptional group of volunteers - donated their time and expertise to ensure this beloved landmark remains in top...
What started as a quiet morning at Park Ridge Lookout turned into a critical fire response situation—and a powerful reminder of why vigilant firewatchers are essential to forest safety. A Volunteer's Quick Thinking Makes All the Difference Just before 8:00 AM on July 31st volunteer staffer George Kulick was enjoying the quiet morning hours when he heard...
High atop a granite dome in the Sequoia National Forest stands one of the most remarkable fire lookouts in the American West. Buck Rock Lookout, perched dramatically above the surrounding landscape, opens its doors each year for a special celebration that draws visitors from throughout the region. The annual Buck Rock Lookout Open House, hosted by...
If you live anywhere that gets smoky during fire season, you've probably heard officials mention "preparedness levels." Preparedness levels are the government's way of telling us how serious things are getting with wildfires nationwide. Let's break down the National Preparedness Level (NPL). What Exactly Is NPL? Think of the National Preparedness Level as a thermometer for wildfire...
Today was an exciting day for our fire lookout staff - Rich Kinney and Sierra Swinney at Delilah Lookout, and Peggy Hellweg at Park Ridge Lookout. Shortly after 1:00 PM, our lookouts spotted the "Peak" fire in the Three Rivers area. The fire was located about 6 miles north from a residential area on North Fork...
High in the rocky outcrops of Buck Rock Lookout, a sharp whistle cuts through the mountain air. This distinctive alarm call belongs to the yellow-bellied marmot, one of the region's most charismatic alpine residents. Mountain-Built Rodents Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) are North America's largest squirrels, weighing 3-11 pounds depending on the season. These chunky herbivores inhabit elevations...