Fire towers originally functioned true to their name: lookout towers for fires in order to protect natural resources. However, as the DEC reports, air surveillance is much cheaper and more effective than maintaining dozens of fire towers. This practice of surveillance has been used since 1971 and the last fire towers were closed in 1990. There were once 124 fire towers in use in the Adirondack Park in the early 1900s on public and private land. Now there are 57 and they solely serve as either tourist attractions or eyesores if they are closed, and many are.
The DEC published a 400 page report on fire towers in the Park, outlining plans for each of the remaining towers with justified reason. Fire towers that did not conform to certain guidelines with respect to use, accessibility, and maintenance cost were recommended to be removed. However, two fire towers on Hurricane Mountain and St. Regis Mountain were originally recommended for removal, but the Adirondack Almanack reported three days ago that plans have changed and the DEC will begin the process of restoring those towers for public use. The DEC report says that the initial mention of removing these fire towers was opposed by many locals, arguing through letters sent through their local legislators that the restoration would bring more tourism to the area. When the restoration is complete, it will be the first time since 1971 that these towers have been opened. The Adirondack Program should take a hike up to Hurricane the first day the tower is opened!
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