GRANT COUNTY
FALL MOUNTAIN
Malheur National Forest
15S-31E-06
15S-31E-06
July 25, 1930: "The truck is at Fall Mt. at present, where a clearing is being made for an emergency lookout station, and later will be moved to Seneca, where it will be stationed for the summer. It will be available for fire fighting on the adjacent Whitman and Ochoco forests, being the only equipment of its kind in this part of the state." (East Oregon Ranger)
1933: An Aladdin Jr. plan 14 by 14 lookout house constructed atop a native round timber tower. (Malheur National Forest Archive file)
1934: An Aladdin plan 16 foot by 18 foot wood frame garage constructed. (Malheur National Forest Archive file)
1953: "Fall Mountain - New native wood tower placed under existing house - old tower had been 'stubbed' in 1947." (Malheur Historical Record 1943 - 1953)
1955: New shutters were installed on the lookout cab. (Malheur National Forest Archive file)
June 28, 1962: "The first of the 29 blazes on the forest and adjacent protected areas was reported at 9:25 a.m. on Fall Mountain. Lightning there struck a green tree one-half mile from the lookout point. Lewis DiOrio, lookout, went to the blaze immediately and extinguished it." (Blue Mountain Eagle)
July 30, 1968: "On July 25, I traveled to the Fall Mtn. L.O. to make a structural inspection of the lookout. I met Woody Williams, Bear Valley FCO, at the site. The lookout is a 14' x 14' cab on a 30' tower erected in about 1932. The tower legs were replaced about 1954.
Following is a summary of the findings:
Cables. Cables appear to be in good condition. They are anchored to the tower top stringers bearing directly against the wood. The wood has been crushed at all four cables. By crushing the wood the cables are now distributing the load over a greater length of cable.
Recommendations:
1. If the wood shows evidence of more crushing a bearing surface should be provided between the cables and the wood.
Foundations: The concrete footings under the tower legs are in good condition. Anchor rods for cables are embedded in concrete. Concrete is buried under the ground. We excavated one of these partially and it appears to be in acceptable condition.
Tower Legs. Tower legs are untreated poles about 8" in diameter. They were bored with an increment borer and do not show any rot. The posts are splitting but not to the point of being structurally inadequate. The posts should last another five years at least.
Recommendations:
1. Splitting should be checked annually to make certain poles will maintain their strength. Gauge points along existing splits should tell the annual increase in size of splits.
Stairs. Stair stringers, handrails, and posts are showing signs of deterioration. The handrails are loose. Tread is not too bad with several new pieces in place. The stairs sway when being used.
Recommendations:
1. Stairs should be replaced within the next two years. An intermediate support for stair stringers should be included.
Cab. Although maintenance on the cab has been good, the cab is in poor condition. Window sills, eaves, door jambs and other materials show evidence of both wear and rot. It is very doubtful these items can be repaired by mere maintenance. The floor joists and connections to tower appear to be in fairly good condition.
Recommendations:
1. This lookout should be replaced within five years if possible." (Memo from Civil Engineer to Forest Engineer) (Malheur National Forest Archive file)
September 27, 1988: "The lookout looks as if it has shifted to one side, leaning to one side more than another. It needs new leg supports and guy wires tightened up." (Comment on a Maintenance Condition Survey Checklist) (Malheur National Forest Archive file)