Say goodbye to EW9570

[Wintertime]

The site manager for one of the observatories on Mount Wilson has just posted this update on the solar towercam page: "The historic Vetter Mtn Fire Lookout is gone - I can only see a flagpole and hand rail left standing." The lookout was survey station EW9570. There's a photo of EW9570 on its Geocaching.com page.

 

There are also three metal survey disks up there (station EW9566 and two reference marks), so perhaps they survived. Larry, sounds like a good project for you.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if some other lookout towers have been lost in this fire--which, by the way, is now five times the size of San Francisco--but this is the only one I've read mention of. The observatory complex itself is not out of danger, but firefighters have waged a masterful war in that area and appear to be winning. If you're at all interested, read the observatory director's fire blog.

 

Patty

[foxtrot_xray]

The site manager for one of the observatories on Mount Wilson has just posted this update on the solar towercam page: "The historic Vetter Mtn Fire Lookout is gone - I can only see a flagpole and hand rail left standing." The lookout was survey station EW9570. There's a photo of EW9570 on its Geocaching.com page.

 

There are also three metal survey disks up there (station EW9566 and two reference marks), so perhaps they survived. Larry, sounds like a good project for you.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if some other lookout towers have been lost in this fire--which, by the way, is now five times the size of San Francisco--but this is the only one I've read mention of. The observatory complex itself is not out of danger, but firefighters have waged a masterful war in that area and appear to be winning. If you're at all interested, read the observatory director's fire blog.

 

Patty

 

.. Sad. Not knowing of the place, I googled it and came across this. Devoted people. I give them all credit and respect.

Edited September 7, 2009 by foxtrot_xray

[68-eldo]

Reading some of the page linked to from foxtrot xray’s link I think of President Kennedy’s speech “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You …..” These people are living that.

Edited September 7, 2009 by 68-eldo

[Wintertime]

Here's a photo on Inciweb of the former Mount Vetter lookout tower:

 

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/pictures/large/1856/1/

 

Patty

[+Klemmer]

Another one down. Darn shame, and such a historic one at that.

 

There are very few Fire Lookouts ("firetowers") left in Southern California. I guess with more modern fire detection methods (from satellites to helicopters...), they seem almost relegated to museum status (at least around here).

 

The only existing Fire Lookout I know of personally is DX5124 on Tahquitz Peak in the San Bernardino National Forest, east of Idyllwild, CA. Very nice, pretty serious hike up there. Been there at least three times. It is very nicely preserved as it was back "in the day" when it was in regular use.

Edited September 25, 2009 by Klemmer & TeddyBearMama

[+TheBeanTeam]

Painful to see...very painful.