EDMONTON (CP) - Nearly a year after the presumed murder of a 70-year-old woman who disappeared from her fire tower lookout deep in the Alberta bush, a provincial report has recommended tougher security to guard the guardians of the boreal forest.

The report, released Monday, recommends fences, locked gates, personal radios and self-defence training to prevent a repeat of the case of Stephanie Stewart, who disappeared from her Hinton-area fire tower lookout last summer.

"Based on the unfortunate tragedy last year of Stephanie Stewart, this was an opportunity for us to review existing procedures and say, 'How can we enhance what we're already doing?' " said Mike Jenkinson, spokesman for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

"This report is pointing us in that direction."

RCMP began searching for Stewart the morning of Aug. 26, 2006, after she was reported missing. The search eventually included dog teams, air crews, several police units, four government departments and local search and rescue patrols.

Stewart had last spoken with her family the previous evening and was considered in good shape. No trace of her was ever found.

Because items were missing from her cabin, including bedding and a man's wristwatch, an animal attack was ruled out. Police said right from the start they believed she had met with foul play.

"We're still trying to determine what happened to Stephanie Stewart, the circumstances under which she went missing and what transpired thereafter," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes.

"In all likelihood, Stephanie Stewart is no longer alive."

Although some of the province's 128 lookout towers are only accessible by airplane, some are near roads and are frequently visited. Some see up to 5,000 visitors over the season, says the report.

Signs pointing such towers out are being removed. As well, fences with locked gates have already been installed around 69 of the more popular towers, said Jenkinson.

Security in the cabins where the lookouts live should also be improved with deadbolt locks and reinforced windows, says the report.

Regulations for lookouts now require them to carry two-way radios with a "panic button" whenever they leave their cabin or the tower. The button transmits an emergency signal .

Personal security - including self-defence skills as well as how to recognize dangerous situations and get out of them before they escalate - should also be part of the training new lookout recruits receive, the report says. That's also underway, said Tim Klein, wildfire detection co-ordinator for the province.

"At the course, there's several places where that awareness is raised - the risks, the hazards," he said.

Lookouts support the new recommendations and have participated in their implementation, Klein said.

"Lookout staff were really involved in the process right from the get-go."

"A lot of them were really instrumental in the actual physical location of the gate. They're the most knowledgeable about the area so they would know where it would be most effective."

Marisa, a young woman who staffs a tower near Fox Creek in northwestern Alberta, says the radio she now carries goes a long way toward easing the few security concerns she does have.

"I'm in constant contact with my neighbours (other lookouts in the vicinity)," said Marisa, who didn't want her last name used or her location revealed for security reasons.

"They have a pretty good idea of where I am and what I'm doing most of the time. And I pretty much rely on my dog."

Roy, another lookout near Lesser Slave Lake, admits that Stewart's disappearance made him think.

"I've always considered this a fairly safe job," he said.

"(Stewart's disappearance) is one of those events that is just so baffling that it's hard to come to grips with. I'm sure for our lady tower people, it gave them pause."

While some of the report's recommendations remain under review, Klein said he hopes the ones already being implemented will make the lookout's job safer.

"Security of all of our staff is always a concern."

Edson RCMP investigators continue to look for clues to help locate Stewart, said Oakes.

"One of the big challenges for investigators is having information that will keep the story alive," he said. "It generates a whole new realm of tips that come in."

Without them, the mystery will continue, Oakes said.

"The feeling of absolute frustration is incredible."