Budd Lake Fire Tower
US 246, NJ 8
April 2023 photo
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 246, NJ 8 (view other lookouts in United States, New Jersey) |
| Date Registered | December 15, 1997 |
| Nominated by | Eric Weber |
| Location | Morris County, New Jersey |
| Coordinates |
N 40° 53.704' W 074° 45.026' (view using Google Maps) N 40° 53' 42" W 074° 45' 02" N 40.895067° W 074.750433° |
| Elevation | 1,182 ft (360 m) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Administered by | New Jersey Forest Fire Service |
Description
Originally known in 1905 as the “95 Mile Tree Lookout” because of its location at Mile 95 of the old state turnpike on the west shore of New Jersey’s largest fresh water lake, Budd Lake has served as a lookout point for 92 years.
The current 60-foot steel Aermotor tower with 7’ x 7’ metal cab was constructed in 1924. It is the only lookout in the state equipped with an Osborne fire finder and is active. The tower was repainted in April 2023.
Map
Change Basemap
Visit Reports
April 23, 2023: Eric Weber
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No |
| Shutters OK? | Not Applicable |
| Condition of wood OK? | Not Applicable |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Site recently had steel work done and a new paint job. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | Other radio equipment installed on tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | Park at pavement end of Fire Tower Road, short walk up fire road to tower. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Sometimes
Seasonally by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No |
February 20, 2015: Jan Braidech
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | No Response |
| Good condition? | Yes |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Other enroachments? | Trees and/or tree branches should be considered cut back as we understand that we should have been able to see Budd Lake from Milton fire tower. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
Yes
I had a visit with Matt Watson who was manning the tower at the time. He was willing to answer all my questions. He was prepared in case of fire...
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | No Response |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | No Response |
Other Comments |
|
| Comments | As of April 2016, we could not see Budd Lake fire tower from Milton fire tower as it was blocked by tree growth. (We think at least branches need to be taken down.) |