Lookout Show`n Tell #3:
Lightning Protection at Lookouts
Beginning in the early 1930s, all fire
lookouts were equipped with lightning protection consisting of a "bird cage" of
No.2 (1/4") solid copper wire extending from the roof peak, down all four
corners, and down the hill perhaps a hundred yards to dissipate the static
charge. Although many LOs get direct lightning hits several times a year,
there have been no known fatalities by lightning in a properly maintained LO
since.
The lightning stool, or proverbial "Hot
Seat" was designed simply and may be found in many forms, using telephone
insulators on the feet. It was intended to be stood on during a
storm when you needed to use the land line phone or radio. Some today say
you should perch your toes on it like an eagle through the entire overhead
attack. Others say it's useless. You can be the
judge...
The lower two pictures show a
couple of copper lightning rods from LO roof tops. Both were
damaged by direct lightning strikes. One shows several small arc
beads on its tip. I can attest to the fact that this one did some
damage at Heavens Gate LO, Idaho in 1988. I was there. The direct
hit wiped out all 6 radios, the propane fridge, and bit my dog on
the nose! The system was maintained properly,
supposedly.
The other burnt air terminal in the bottom
photo wasn't so lucky. Its electrical connections hadn't been
properly maintained, and a direct strike burnt down the lookout at
Simmons Ridge, Idaho.
Lightning stool
|
Lightning Hot Seat
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LO lightning air
terminal FT7
|
Burnt lightning air terminal 2
|
Ray Kresek
Fire Lookout Museum
Spokane, WA