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In a bid to demonstrate the need for forest protection, the Forest Service created a national network of fire lookouts to combat the wildfire threat effectively. Thousands of these structures arose, often perched atop mountains, serving as vital observation points for forest rangers fighting to keep the forests safe from fire. With the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, many of the towers that still stand today were constructed.
Decline and Evolution of Fire Lookouts
The number of active lookouts saw its peak in the 1940s, but as technology evolved, so did firefighting methods. The introduction of advanced aerial fire detection systems rendered many of the lookouts obsolete, leading to a gradual decline.