Montpelier, VT – Elmore Mountain Fire Tower in Elmore and Spruce Mountain Fire Tower in Plainfield will be getting safety upgrades, with maintenance set to begin this fall. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation will begin the work as part of a statewide initiative to ensure safe recreational access to fire towers open for public use on state land. The project is funded by a match from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, supported through the Capital Construction Act and Lands and Facilities Trust Fund.

Originally constructed in the early 1900s to monitor wildland fires, Vermont’s fire towers played an important role in protecting a landscape heavily cleared for agriculture and littered with dry, dead trees. Today, the remaining towers are popular recreation destinations.

Maintenance and updates will include:

• Installing fencing in key areas to improve safety.
• Replacing wooden stair treads with metal grating to improve safety and longevity.
• Repainting all metal elements of the fire towers.
• Grounding both towers to increase protection from lightning strikes.

Helicopters will be transporting materials and equipment at the beginning and end of each project, requiring temporary closures of trails, tower areas, and parking areas to protect public safety during the rehabilitation. Closures are expected to begin in late September. Some trails and parking areas will reopen after a few days, while the fire towers are expected to remain closed through October.

Recommended alternative hikes to Spruce Mountain include Owls Head and Silver Ledge in Groton and Little Deer and Devil’s Hill in Peacham. Recommended alternative hikes to Elmore Mountain include Belvidere Mountain in Lowell, Worcester Mountain in Worcester, and Laraway Mountain in Belvidere/Johnson.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, check Trail Finder for closure details and updates, and follow all posted notices.

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Stephanie Brackin (she/her)  |  Communications Director

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

1 National Life Drive, Davis 2, Montpelier, VT 05620-3901

802-261-0606 | stephanie.brackin@vermont.gov

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