It is still arguably the largest forest fire ever in recorded history. ![]() The Great Fire of 1910, also known as the Big Blowup, burned 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km 2) through the states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Many townships, private lumber companies, and State Forestry organizations operated fire lookout towers on their own accord. The history of fire lookout towers predates the United States Forest Service, founded in 1905. History United States įurther information: List of fire lookout towers § United States Īlthough many fire lookout towers have fallen into disrepair from neglect, abandonment and declining budgets, some fire service personnel have made efforts to preserve older fire towers, arguing that a person watching the forest for wildfire can be an effective and cheap fire control measure. Towers gained popularity in the early 1900s, and fires were reported using telephones, carrier pigeons and heliographs. Ground cabs are called towers, even if they don't sit on a tower. In cases where the terrain makes a tower unnecessary, the structure is known as a ground cab. Sometimes natural rock may be used to create a lower platform. Historically, the tops of tall trees have also been used to mount permanent platforms. The location of the strike is monitored for a period of days afterwards, in case of ignition.Ī typical fire lookout tower consists of a small room, known as a cab, atop a large steel or wooden tower. ![]() Lookouts also report weather changes and plot the location of lightning strikes during storms. From this vantage point the fire lookout can see smoke that may develop, determine the location by using a device known as an Osborne Fire Finder, and call fire suppression personnel to the fire. It is a small building, usually on the summit of a mountain or other high vantage point, to maximize viewing distance and range, known as view shed. Beyazıt Tower, is an 85 m (279 ft) tall fire-watch tower located in the courtyard of Istanbul University's main campus (formerly Ottoman Ministry of War) on Beyazıt Square.Ī fire lookout tower, fire tower or lookout tower, provides housing and protection for a person known as a " fire lookout" whose duty it is to search for wildfires in the wilderness.
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