TD History Forum on Saturday focuses on Fire Lookouts

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Written By Karl Vercouteren

Bull of the Woods fire lookout in Mt. Hood National Forest was scheduled for restoration when it was consumed by wildfire in 2021.  Lookout towers will be featured in the first Regional History Forum program at the Original Wasco County Courthouse Saturday, Feb. 1.  U.S. Forest Service photo, 1956

Wasco County Courthouse History Forum 2025

Saturday, Feb. 1st

Fire Lookouts: Personal Reflections, History, and Preservation

Barbara Telfer spent three summers staffing lookouts and Rick McClure was Heritage Program Manager for the two nearby national forests. Mountaintop observation stations—lookouts—were largely phased out by aerial observation. The program outlines the effort to preserve the stories and remaining examples of these iconic structures that represent early wildland management.

Admission is free for the February programs.

Forum begins at 1:30 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the 1859 courthouse, 410 West 2nd Place, The Dalles behind The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.




Karl Vercouteren

Karl Vercouteren came to The Dalles in 1977 to become pastor of United Church of Christ Congregational. Early on he joined Cascade Singers and the Original Courthouse board, reflecting life-long interests in music and history. Since retirement in 2008 he has taken on several projects writing about local history.

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