Fire Lookouts were used in the early 1900’s to spot forest fires and relay the information back to a dispatcher

North Clark Historical Museum will be the site of a Forest Fire Lookouts and Exhibit program Saturday (Aug. 27).

The museum is located in upper Amboy at 21416 NE 399^th St. in the renovated 1910 United Brethren Church. The museum was incorporated in 1988 and opened to the public in June of 2000. 

Fire Lookouts were used in the early 1900’s to spot forest fires and relay the information back to a dispatcher.  The living conditions were primitive and the hike to the lookout was an adventure.  During WWII, they were used as Aircraft Warning Stations to watch for enemy planes flying over the area.  The exhibit in the basement is very informational. There is also a Smokey Bear display.

The program will start at 2 pm, and the speaker will be Chuck Whitten, who is now retired.  Whitten graduated from Oregon State University in 1967 with a BS in Forest Engineering.  He worked for the Department of Natural Resources from 1967 to 1972.  He worked as a project manager for Hagedorn, Inc., a private survey firm in Vancouver from 1972 until his retirement in 2009. He has lived near Battle Ground since 1977.  Whitten has been involved in many different projects and has a passion for Forest Fire Lookouts.  He has been fascinated with them since the 1950’s.  In the 1960’s, he worked for the U S Forest Service for three summers and was occasionally called on to man a lookout.  His program will be both entertaining and informational.

The museum is open on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.. The museum is wheelchair accessible and has air conditioning. Admission is free.  Donations are welcome.

Quilt raffle tickets will be available for “Wild Flowers,” a quilt made by the Chelatchie Quilters. Tickets are $1.00 each.  This is an annual fundraiser, and proceeds will go to the Capital Improvement Fund.

For more information, contact (360) 247-5800 and leave a message or email museumnch88@gmail.com

 The North Clark Historical Museum was founded in 1988 and is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. The doors were opened in June of 2000. Mission Statement:   To preserve North Clark County’s natural and cultural history through collections and exhibits, and to sponsor educational programs and research opportunities for the enrichment of the public.