Forest Fire Lookout Association Inc

Eastern Washington Chapter Report
2009

MEMBERSHIP:  46 paid members.
15 complimentary members; Agency Personnel (Colville-Okanogan-Wenatchee-Umatilla NFS's, DNR NE and SE Regions, Washington State Parks, Colville Confederated Tribes, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Yakama Nation), Butler Fund Administrator.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT:  Ending Balance of $953.37.

ACTIVITIES: 

A change in Chapter Leadership occurred during the year as Dave Bula stepped down   as Chapter Director to be more fully involved in his role as Western Deputy Director.  A job he has excelled at.

                        The 2009 Western Conference was hosted by the Western Washington Chapter in Snohomish.  The Eastern Washington Chapter was able to lend a hand by taking care of registrations for the event and contributing to the purchase of the new FFLA Western      Conference Banner.  W. Wash. Director Forrest Clark more than reciprocated in kind by contributing a portion of the surplus funds raised at the Conference into the E. Wash. Chapter Account.  The grand finale of the Conference was an outstanding lookout tour within the Yakama Nation.  Yakama Fire Dispatcher, Bonnie Spencer, organized crew and vehicles to transport those FFLA   members on the tour.  It was an incredible day.

                        New FFLA Brochures were distributed to the NE Wash. Fairgrounds Ag-Center Building in Colville.  The fairgrounds is the site of the relocated DNR lookout; Stranger Mountain LO. This facility is used for many local functions, including last summer's 150 Year Anniversary of the Military Fort Colville.  Brochures were also distributed to the new Kettle Falls Information Center.  This info center is a joint project between the Kettle Falls Chamber of Commerce, Colville NF and the Coulee Dam NRA/National Park Service.  It serves as the Eastern Gateway           for the Sherman Pass National Scenic Byway.

LOOKOUTS: 

Reports were received that Salmo Mountain and Timber Mountain Lookouts on the Colville NF had new lightning protection installed and nearly all repairs complete in preparation for entry into the Cabin Rental Program.  However, transfer and retirement of key agency personnel put this project off for yet another year. 

                        Word was also received, through the grapevine, that Leecher Mountain Lookout on the Okanogan NF was refurbished and placed back into service.

                        Restoration of Columbia Mountain Lookout on the Colville NF began and will be completed next summer.  The Colville Local Chapter was represented during the first week of    this Passport In Time project that involved hand hewing timbers after a 3 mile hike.

                        Flat Top LO's cab made its return when volunteers got it rebuilt at the Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center at Entiat.  The effort to save this unique lookout spanned over a decade.  Constant intervention by then Wash. Director Ray Kresek, saved it from the torch.  Our National Director Keith Argow and Southern Cascades Local Chapter Leader Dick Morrison   were then able to remove the cab and safely store it for several years.  When the new home was found,   more volunteers joined Keith and Dick to reconstruct the cab.  These included; W. Wash. Director Forrest Clark, Joe Chessie, Laurie Cange, Kimmarie Ryan, Leroy Beckwith and Stan Whithouse.  These FFLA members contributed 316 hours of work.

Documentation of former lookouts on the Colville NF was made of:  Togo Mountain LO where written in the concrete of one footing; C.C.C. “33” was noted.  Addy Mountain LO, a CCC era rag camp which was subjected to a WWII Japanese Balloon Bomb attack.  Marble Mountain LO where a surprise discovery of the 1942 privy was made.  The privy is in pristine condition and includes the names of the builders inside.  The structure was unknown to CNF agency personnel and now will be protected because of historical and cultural values.

OBJECTIVES: 

Plan of work for the coming year includes aiding with the removal of the collapsed garage at Timber Mountain LO to help get this lookout into the Cabin Rental Program. Continue to document former lookout sites with notes of interest.

                        Organize a fund raiser by enrolling in the Washington State Department of Transportation Free Coffee Program at the Horn School Safety Rest Area during a WSU home football game.

                        Picnic with the W. Wash. Chapter this summer somewhere in the middle of the State.

Rod Fosback
E. Wash. Director


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