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Pinedale Online > News > August 2019 > Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout restoration celebration

Happy 75th Smokey. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
Happy 75th Smokey

Deadline Fire Lookout. Photo by Clint Gilchrist.
Deadline Fire Lookout
Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout restoration celebration
And Happy 75th Birthday to Smokey Bear
by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
August 28, 2019

The Sublette County Historic Preservation Board and Bridger-Teton National Forest held an Open House for the Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout on Saturday, August 24th. The lookout is remotely located at over 10,000 feet elevation on Deadline Ridge in the Wyoming Range. It was built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and operated into the late 1960s. After many years of non-use, the structure fell into disrepair. Volunteers on the Sublette County Historic Preservation Board spent the last several years doing work to restore the building. Since 2019 is the 75th anniversary of Smokey Bear, the Bridger-Teton National Forest also held a little birthday celebration for Smokey during the Open House. The Deadline Ridge Lookout is now seasonally open to visitors who wish to go inside and enjoy the interpretive panels. The lookout is reached by taking the Calpet Road south of Big Piney and following the signs.

For those who cannot make it up to the Deadline Lookout, there is a companion display at the Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney. The display includes an alidade (fire finder), the view from the lookout, a map of lookouts on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, several artifacts, and an informational brochure.



Related Links
  • Deadline Lookout
  • Deadline Ridge Fire Lookout restoration project - August 17, 2015

  • View out the windows. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    View out the windows

    Bed and artifacts. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Bed and artifacts
    The bed for the lookout was made by Richard Kail. The Forest Service brought some old hardhats and an old radio for the lookout display.

    Four display panels. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Four display panels
    Members of the Sublette County Historic Preservation Board made four informational panels for display in the lookout.

    Forest Service. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Forest Service
    Lucas Skoglund, Bridger-Teton National Forest staffs a table with information from the Forest Service.

    Lookout cookies. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Lookout cookies
    Carmel Kail made special lookout 8 cookies for the open house.

    Putting on the 75. Photo by Luciano Legnini, Bridger-Teton National Forest.
    Putting on the 75
    Nan Stinson, Bridger-Teton National Forest, puts the 75 candle on Smokey's birthday cake. Lucas Skoglund, Bridger-Teton National Forest, stands with Smokey.

    Birthday cake. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Birthday cake
    Lucas Skoglund, Bridger-Teton National Forest shows Smokey his birthday cake.

    Alidate and chair with insulated feet. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Alidate and chair with insulated feet
    The Forest Service brought a firefinder for display inside the lookout. Richard Kail fixed up the chair and footstool (note the glass insulators on the furniture legs for lightning protection.)

    Forest Service with Smokey Bear. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Forest Service with Smokey Bear
    (L to R): Luciano Legnini wearing a 1950s vintage Forest Service uniform, Smokey Bear, Lucas Skoglund, Bridger-Teton National Forest. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.

    Hug from Smokey. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Hug from Smokey

    Family pose. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Family pose

    Hi everyone!. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Hi everyone!
    Bob Beiermann, who helped with the restoration of the lookout, poses with Smokey Bear.

    Visitors. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Visitors
    Sublette County Commissioners Dave Burnett (L) and Mack Rawhauser (R), along with Dick Wenz (Center), attended the open house.

    Informational Sign. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Informational Sign

    Volunteers. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Volunteers
    (L to R) Volunteers Richard Kail, Carmel Kail, and Bob Beiermann

    Lookout guest register. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Lookout guest register
    There is a guest register inside the lookout for people to sign

    Direction signs. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Direction signs
    The road path to the lookout is somewhat confusing, but signs helped visitors find the way.

    Go left. Photo by Clint Gilchrist, Sublette County Historic Preservation Board.
    Go left
    More signs to help find the way.
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