Camping in a wildfire lookout tower

If you want a million-dollar view for less than $100 a night, one option rises above the rest: camping in a wildfire lookout tower.

The big picture: The U.S. Forest Service rents dozens of its old, remote fire lookouts now that infrared tools and aircraft have replaced human eyes in most areas.

• The "cabins" are like mountain lighthouses, designed for 360-degree views from high peaks.

Driving the news: Some of the lookouts' fall and winter reservations are open now, so hop online if you want a chance to stay there.

• Several are located near the Bay Area, including Oak Flat Lookout in Sequoia National Forest and Sardine Peak Lookout in Tahoe National Forest.

Catch up quick: Foresters built about 5,000 watch stations around the Western states after massive wildfires in 1910 consumed about 20 million acres and killed more than 80 people.

• Before that, there wasn't a coordinated wildfire alert system.

By the numbers: As of 2019, about 300 watch stations were still staffed, mostly by volunteers who regularly scanned the landscape and sounded the alarm as needed.

• Now about 75 "retired" lookouts are available for tourists to rent in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.