Eyes In The Sky

The first lookout tower in California was built in which year?

• 1876

• 1910

• 1915

• 1980

What does the word 'scan' mean?

• to look carefully and closely at something to find something specific

• to find the exact position or place of something

What is the main job of a fire watcher?

• To scan the land for signs of smoke or fire

• To build fire lookout towers

• To hike down the hill for water to fight fires

• To fight forest fires directly

Which sentences from the text support the idea that fire watchers play an important role in monitoring and protecting the environment? Select TWO correct answers.

• There are fire towers, called lookouts, in all of the national forests of the United States. (paragraph 2)

• The windows of these towers offer a 360-degree view of the land below. (paragraph 2)

• Inside those towers, people who are specially trained scan the surrounding land for signs of fire. (paragraph 2)

• Their goal is to locate fires and report them before they get out of control. (paragraph 2)

• The first lookout tower was built in California in 1876. (paragraph 3)

Which sentence explains how the United States Forest Service implemented measures to prevent future devastating fires?

• Their goal is to locate fires and report them before they get out of control. (paragraph 2)

• The agency built many more lookouts and hired people to scan the forests. (paragraph 3)

• We had to scan once every hour. (paragraph 5)

• Other duties included reporting into headquarters twice each day. (paragraph 5)

Which sentence from paragraph 5 describes other fire watchers’ responsibilities besides watching for fires?

• I’d get up at 5:30, eat a quick breakfast, and scan the area for smoke.

• I’d hike down the hill for water, and then scan the area again for smoke.

• We had to scan once every hour.

• Other duties included reporting in to headquarters twice each day, chopping firewood, painting the tower, and building hitching posts.

What is one activity fire watchers might do to pass the time?

• watch TV

• talk to other fire watchers

• read books

• play games on their phones

Which sentence best supports the conclusion that fire watchers encounter challenges related to wildlife?

• Reading helped him pass the time. (paragraph 6)

• Naumann once aided in the rescue of an injured horse rider. (paragraph 8)

• One morning, there was a pile of shiny, steaming bear scat in the middle of the trail. (paragraph 9)

• The scenes of nature are her entertainment. (paragraph 10)

Which sentence best shows an additional responsibility of a fire watcher?

• Naumann says that anyone interested in being a fire watcher should be independent, have hobbies, and like to read. (paragraph 6)

• For example, Naumann once aided in the rescue of an injured horse rider. (paragraph 8)

• Then there was always the wildlife. (paragraph 9)

• The scenes of nature are her entertainment. (paragraph 10)

Which sentence best describes one advantage fire watchers have over satellite imaging?

• Even much of the technology used in the early days is still used today. (Paragraph 12)

• Today, fire watchers have the added help of spotter planes, helicopters, and satellite imaging. (Paragraph 12)

• From a fire tower in Helena, Montana, fire watcher Sam Chapman sees smoke, fire, and a helicopter with a bucket of water. (Paragraph 13)

• Also, fire watchers are able to see things that satellite imaging cannot, such as the difference between cloud-to-cloud lightning and ground strikes. (Paragraph 14)