A Fascination with Vermont Fire Towers
August 30, 2025

At the top of Burke Mountain stands a fire tower built in 1939.

It’s the third fire tower constructed at the summit. Weather-related events destroyed the earlier two. The original one, built in 1912, was the first fire tower ever constructed in Vermont, but it collapsed from ice.

The second tower, built from wood, was an octagonal structure. It blew down in the 1938 hurricane.

The Burke Mountain fire tower that stands today, made of galvanized steel, was funded and rebuilt by the Civilian Conservation Corps the following year.

For a variety of reasons, fire towers continue to fascinate the public.

“You have these awkward-looking structures on top of a mountain, which you can access and take in the view,” says Luke O’Brien, a recreation specialist for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

“You can climb the Empire State Building or some other historic building, but the nature of a fire tower is that it’s open to the air,” he adds. “There’s a certain excitement involved.”

Listen to the podcast episode 

-A view from Burke’s fire tower on a hazy day in August. Main photo: Fire towers at Allis State Park, Okemo and Burke Mountain.

A Shift from Fire Detection to Outdoor Access

In the early 1900s, Elmer Darling owned Burke Mountain, and he recognized the need for fire detection and agreed to have the first fire tower installed at the 3,267-foot summit.

Back then, fires were mainly caused by excessive logging, the expansion of the railroad and sparks from passing trains, and a general lack of awareness.

At one time, 38 fire towers stood in Vermont, including places like Mount Equinox, Pico Mountain and Mount Philo.

O’Brien says 16 fire towers remain—10 of them on state lands.

“Having these historic towers is really important as they connect us to the whole arc of the conservation movement,” he says.

Subscribe to Happy Vermont 

-Luke O’Brien of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, takes in the view from the Burke Mountain fire tower. In early August, haze from Canadian wildfires could be seen for miles. 

Where to Find Vermont Fire Towers

The towers at Mount Equinox, Pico and Mount Philo are gone, but you can still hike to fire towers at the summits of several peaks, including Stratton Mountain, Okemo Mountain, Elmore Mountain, Bear Hill at Allis State Park, Gile Mountain in Norwich, Mount Ascutney, and Spruce Peak in Plainfield.

The Glastonbury fire tower, which is federally owned, closed to the public earlier this year because of safety concerns.

This summer, the state’s forest, parks and recreation department launched the first phase of a project to enhance safety by restoring several state-owned fire towers, including ones at Burke Mountain and Allis State Park.

The initiative preserves the towers’ historic character while providing better visitor access.

While sitting at the top of Burke Mountain, I asked, “What is it about fire towers that people love?”

“Being in the air high above the forest and looking out is just a wonderful feeling,” O’Brien told me. “And fire towers really connect you to a place.”

You can access the Burke Mountain fire tower on foot or by car. Burke Mountain’s auto toll road to the summit is open until mid-October.

**We may earn a commission after you click on certain ads/links on our website.

-The wooden fire tower at the top of Burke Mountain was destroyed in the 1938 hurricane. / Courtesy photo 

Happy Vermont Podcast: Vermont Fire Towers

I met Luke O’Brien at the summit of Burke Mountain in early August to talk about fire towers. In this Happy Vermont podcast episode, he shares the history of fire towers and why they matter.

Listen to the podcast episode 

Where in Vermont? Test Your Knowledge of Vermont Geography

The answer to the Aug. 16 quiz was Bethel/Lilliesville. See map below.

Winners!
Laura Barber
Sheila Burleigh
Kelly Kelly
Dan Lyman
Barbara Marlow
Sue Morris
Jay Welenc
Carol Wyatt

Find Vermont Events 

Can you name the town in the photo below? Share your answer by commenting below (be sure to give your name) or email me at [email protected].