Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, Fire lookout tower in Oconto County, United States
The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower is a steel observation structure located at a high elevation point in Oconto County, Wisconsin, providing wide views across the surrounding forest. The tower was constructed entirely from steel to ensure maximum visibility for monitoring forest fires across the landscape.
The tower was built in 1932 during an era when manual surveillance was the primary method for detecting forest fires. It became an essential part of forest protection efforts in the region at that time.
The tower represents an earlier approach to forest protection, where watchers spent long shifts scanning the horizon for smoke rising from the trees.
The tower can be reached through marked trails in the Chequamegon National Forest, and the structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions at the elevation and bring appropriate gear.
The tower houses an Osborne Fire Finder, a precision instrument that allowed personnel to pinpoint the exact location of smoke columns through triangulation. This tool was crucial for rapidly reporting the source and spread of fires to firefighting teams.
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