Lafayette County to say goodbye to historic Cooks Hammock Fire Tower

Hailey Waldo Riverbend News After standing watch over the forests of Lafayette County for more than six decades, the historic Cooks Hammock Fire Tower is preparing to leave the community it has long called home, marking the end of an important chapter in the county’s forestry history. For generations, the steel tower served as more than a landmark. Before modern technology such as satellite imaging, drones and automated detection systems, fire towers were the frontline defense against devastating wildfires. From high above the tree canopy, trained observers continuously scanned the horizon for signs of smoke, allowing forest rangers to locate fires quickly and dispatch crews before fl