Guide: Firewatch Walkthrough

Firewatch is a first-person adventure game developed by Campo Santo and released in 2016. Set in the Wyoming wilderness in 1989, you play as Henry, a fire lookout who takes a summer job in the Shoshone National Forest. As you explore your surroundings and communicate with your supervisor Delilah via radio, you uncover a mystery that will test your relationship with her and your own sanity. I loved the game and you can see my full Firewatch review here. Since the review, I have played through it a few times to see the different outcomes and also played it with my wife after telling her that she would enjoy it.

In this walkthrough guide for Firewatch, I will take you through the entire game, step by step, as well as provide tips and strategies to help you navigate the wilderness and solve the puzzles. This guide is meant for players who want to experience the story and the gameplay without getting stuck or missing important details.

Before we begin, here are some general tips to keep in mind:

• Pay attention to your surroundings and take your time to explore. Firewatch is a slow-paced game that rewards careful observation and immersion.
• Use your map and compass to orient yourself and find your way around. The game world is open but also easy to get lost in.
• Listen to Delilah and respond to her prompts. Your dialogue choices will affect the story and your relationship with her.
• Save often and use multiple save slots. Firewatch has an autosave feature, but it’s always good to have backups in case something goes wrong.
• Enjoy the scenery and the music. Firewatch has a beautiful art style and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the mood and the atmosphere of the game.

Firewatch Day 1 – First Steps in the Wilderness

After the prologue, you will find yourself inside your lookout tower. It’s time to head out and explore the wilderness. Before leaving the tower, take a moment to look around and familiarize yourself with the various items on the desk, such as the typewriter, radio, and map.

Once you’re ready to go, exit the tower and follow the path to the north. You’ll come across a small box with a lock on it. Enter the code “1-2-3-4” to open it and collect the key inside.

Continue down the path until you reach a fork in the road. Take the path to the left, which leads to the cache box. Use the key you just found to unlock the box and collect the supplies inside, including a map and compass.

Next, head to the southwest corner of your map to locate the damaged communication line. Use your axe to clear the path and follow the line until you reach the damaged section. Use your radio to contact Delilah and report the damage.

After reporting the damage, continue down the path until you come across a creek. Follow the creek until you reach a cave entrance. Enter the cave and collect the flashlight and rope inside. Use the rope to rappel down to the lower level.

Once you’re down in the lower level, continue through the cave until you reach a clearing. Take a moment to enjoy the view before returning to your lookout tower by following the same path you came from.

Back at the tower, use your map and compass to locate the missing supplies that Delilah has asked you to find. They can be found at the cache box you visited earlier. Collect the supplies and head back to the tower to end the day.

Day 2 – Communication and Exploration

After waking up on the second day, Henry receives a message from Delilah informing him about some teens lighting fireworks in the area. She asks him to investigate and report back. Henry heads towards the teens’ campsite, where he finds beer cans, fireworks, and a stereo playing loud music.

After inspecting the area, Henry decides to confront the teens. The conversation can go in different directions, depending on Henry’s choices. After the conversation, the teens leave, and Henry can either confiscate their fireworks or let them keep them.

Once Henry returns to his tower, Delilah contacts him to inform him about some strange noises she’s heard on her end. She asks Henry to investigate a transmission signal on his walkie-talkie. Henry heads towards the location, which is marked on his map, and finds an old communication wire.

Henry follows the wire to a cave, where he discovers a clipboard with information about the monitoring station. After investigating, Henry heads back to his tower and discusses the discovery with Delilah. She advises Henry to keep an eye out for any further suspicious activity.

Finding the Communication Wires

After crossing the river and reaching the supply cache, you will receive a new objective to find the communication wires that were cut. Follow the path and head towards the power lines. As you make your way through the forest, you’ll come across a small stream. Follow the stream uphill, and you’ll find yourself in an open area with a burned-out campsite.

From the burned-out campsite, head towards the rocky cliffs on your right. You should see a small path leading up to the top of the cliffs. Climb up the path and cross the wooden planks until you reach a small cave.

Inside the cave, you’ll find the communication wires. Interact with the wires to report back to Delilah. Unfortunately, it turns out that the wires were not cut by accident, and someone intentionally damaged them.

After reporting back to Delilah, she’ll ask you to investigate a distress signal coming from a nearby lake. Head towards the lake to continue your investigation.

For the sake of simplicity, I have kept Day 3 to day 76 brief.

Day 3:

1. Wake up to the sound of a distress signal from the lake.
2. Grab your backpack and head towards Jonesy Lake.
3. Follow the trail to the lake and find a backpack with a damaged radio.
4. Use the map and compass to navigate to the communication lines in the north.
5. Fix the communication lines and contact Delilah.
6. Report the teens and the fireworks to Delilah.

Day 4:

1. Wake up and head to the new cache box.
2. Retrieve the key and open the cache box.
3. Take the supplies and the note from Ned.
4. Report the note to Delilah.

Day 9:

1. Wake up to find a new supply drop.
2. Retrieve the supplies and report the note to Delilah.
3. Investigate the fence and the clipboard.
4. Follow the tracks to the teens’ campsite.
5. Report the campsite and the fence to Delilah.

Day 11:

1. Wake up and head to the Medicine Wheel.
2. Take a picture of the Medicine Wheel and report it to Delilah.
3. Investigate the backpack and the camera.
4. Report the camera and the note to Delilah.

Day 13:

1. Wake up and head to the cave.
2. Find the source of the noise and investigate the cave.
3. Retrieve the key and report the cave to Delilah.

Day 15:

1. Wake up and head to the lake.
2. Investigate the strange noise and find the walkie-talkie.
3. Report the walkie-talkie to Delilah.

Day 18:

1. Wake up and head to Wapiti Station.
2. Investigate the fence and the gate.
3. Report the gate and the fence to Delilah.

Day 33:

1. Wake up and head to the lake.
2. Investigate the boat and the backpack.
3. Report the boat and the backpack to Delilah.

Day 64:

1. Wake up and head to the lake.
2. Investigate the research site and the cave.
3. Retrieve the tracking device and report the research site and the cave to Delilah.

Day 76 – 79

Here are the key points to keep in mind during the final stretch of Firewatch:

Be prepared for some intense moments. Without spoiling anything, the story takes some unexpected turns, and you’ll find yourself in some challenging and potentially dangerous situations.

Keep an eye out for clues. As the mystery deepens, you’ll need to pay attention to everything around you to piece together what’s really going on in the park.

On day 76, after waking up, Delilah will contact you and tell you to meet her at the nearby supply drop as soon as possible. Once you get there, you’ll find a tracking device, which she wants you to use to locate two teens who have been causing trouble in the park.

After following the tracking device, you’ll find the teens’ campsite. They’ll try to run away, but you can catch them and confiscate their fireworks. You’ll then have the option to either report them or let them go.

On day 77, Delilah will ask you to investigate a strange noise coming from the canyon. Make your way to the canyon and investigate the noise to find a group of teenagers shooting off fireworks. You’ll have the option to report them or let them go.

On day 78, Delilah will contact you about a potential forest fire. You’ll need to make your way to a lookout point and use a spotting scope to locate the smoke. Once you find the source of the smoke, you’ll need to hike to the location and use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

On day 79, Delilah will contact you and tell you to check your supplies. You’ll find that someone has stolen your climbing rope. You’ll need to investigate and find out who stole it. Once you find the culprit, you’ll have the option to either let them go or report them to the authorities.

The Ending

As you make your way towards the end of the game, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, you will need to make a decision regarding the fate of Delilah. Depending on the choices you made earlier in the game, you may have different options available to you.

Once you’ve made your decision, you’ll need to head towards Wapiti Station to meet Delilah. Along the way, you’ll encounter some resistance from a mysterious figure, but you’ll be able to make your way past them with some quick thinking.

At Wapiti Station, you’ll have a final conversation with Delilah and the fate of both of you will be determined by your earlier choices. Depending on what you chose, the game will end in different ways, but regardless of what happens, you will have completed Firewatch.

Congratulations on completing Firewatch! This game is all about choices, and the decisions you made throughout the game will have had a significant impact on the way it played out. Whether you’re satisfied with the ending or not, take some time to reflect on the experience and what you learned from it.

Congratulations, you’ve completed Firewatch!

Firewatch Tips and Tricks

In Firewatch, survival and success depend on how well players navigate the wilderness, manage their equipment, and interact with other characters. Here are some general tips and tricks to help players survive and succeed in their mission:

Use the map and compass: The map and compass are crucial tools for navigating the wilderness. Make sure to use them often and mark your location on the map to avoid getting lost.

Pay attention to the environment: The environment in Firewatch is not just beautiful scenery, it also provides clues to help players navigate and solve puzzles. Keep an eye out for landmarks, trails, and other features that can help you find your way.

Manage your equipment: Your backpack has limited space, so make sure to prioritize the items you carry. Consider the weather conditions and your planned activities when deciding what to pack.

Keep an eye on your radio: The radio is your lifeline to the outside world, so make sure to keep it on and listen for updates from your supervisor.

Take your time: Firewatch is a game that rewards exploration and taking your time to uncover the story. Don’t rush through the game, take your time to enjoy the environment and the characters.

Interact with other characters: The interactions with other characters are an important part of the game. Listen to what they have to say, ask questions, and respond to their prompts.

Pay attention to the dialogue options: The dialogue options you choose can affect the outcome of the story. Pay attention to what you say and how you respond to other characters.

Make notes: Take notes of any important information you gather throughout the game. This can help you solve puzzles and remember key plot points.

Explore everywhere: There are many hidden areas and secrets to discover in Firewatch. Make sure to explore every nook and cranny to uncover them.

By following these tips and tricks, players can increase their chances of surviving and succeeding in Firewatch.

Side Quests in Firewatch

Firewatch offers several optional quests and objectives that players can choose to undertake. These side quests add depth and complexity to the game, as well as additional opportunities for exploration and discovery. Here are some of the most notable side quests in Firewatch:

Ned’s Hideout – As players explore the Shoshone wilderness, they can discover Ned’s hideout, which contains several clues about his past and his motivations. This area also features a key that unlocks a cache of supplies hidden in the forest.

Backpack retrieval – During the game, Henry may misplace his backpack, which contains essential supplies. Players can choose to find and retrieve the backpack, which may require some creative navigation and problem-solving skills.

Lake Jumping – In the later part of the game, players can explore the region around the lake and discover several cliff diving spots. These locations offer a fun diversion from the main story, and can also provide some breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.

Photograph scavenger hunt – Throughout the game, players can find disposable cameras scattered throughout the forest. These cameras contain clues that lead players to different locations, and can ultimately reward them with an achievement for completing the scavenger hunt.

Supply caches – Firewatch features several hidden supply caches that contain valuable resources, such as food, medical supplies, and camping gear. Players can choose to seek out and open these caches, which may require some clever thinking and exploration.

Wildlife observation – As players explore the forest, they can encounter a variety of wildlife, such as deer, rabbits, and even a pack of coyotes. Observing and photographing these animals can be a fun and rewarding side activity for players who want to fully immerse themselves in the game world.

By completing these side quests and objectives, players can gain a deeper understanding of the game’s story and characters, as well as unlock additional achievements and rewards.