Chews Ridge Lookout
US 751, CA 82
Chews Ridge Lookout - 2019
Lookout Details
| Registry Numbers | US 751, CA 82 (view other lookouts in United States, California) |
| Date Registered | December 11, 2008 |
| Nominated by | Patrick J. Barthelow |
| Location |
Los Padres National Forest Monterey County, California |
| Coordinates |
N 36° 18.650' W 121° 34.100' (view using Google Maps) N 36° 18' 39" W 121° 34' 06" N 36.310830° W 121.568330° |
| Elevation | 5,043 ft (1,537 m) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Administered by | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperators | Monterey Ranger District and Chews Ridge Gang Field Day Group |
Description
Chews Ridge Lookout on the Los Padres National Forest was built in 1924 on a 12’ metal tower. The cab was destroyed by fire in 1977 and rebuilt in 1978. It was replaced in 1984 with an R-6 Flat design. The tower was taken out of service approximately 1990.
The lookout has been restored and put back into service in 2019 by volunteers in the Monterey Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA).
Map
Change Basemap
Photos
Mary and Arthur Stone On the Deck of Lookout - 1929
Circa 1980's
Circa 1980's
Circa 1980's
Circa 1980's
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of Steve Maurer
Photo courtesy of "Lookouts of the Los Padres Forest" By Irma Oksen Reaves - 1988
1929 after a 1928 fire
Photo courtesy of USFS - Craig R. Carey Collection
Visit Reports
May 23, 2019: Scott McClintock
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | No |
| Condition of wood OK? | No |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Visited tower with USFS employee. The Los Padres National Forest put a new roof on it two years ago, and it came through the winter without water damage. Floor tiles and dry wall were removed in prior work. The forest bought new siding for it and it has been stored at a fire station 15 miles away. All wood needs paint. But overall, the structure is quite sound. <br /> <br />Lightning arrest gear looks sound, but a professional inspection will be needed. Window glass is 2 years old and in good condition. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | There are no plans to remove the repeater at the base, but I procured an e-mail from forest radio tech that it is safe to operate in the cab. The radio gear presents minimal visual obstruction. |
| Other enroachments? | The USFS has trimmed back encroaching trees surrounding the lookout, and will continue thinning them and removing dead ones. <br /> <br />A copse of oak trees block the view to the north and the USFS is reluctant to cut oaks. The USFS is not concerned, because land to the north is not national forest. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | Yes |
| Directions to tower signed? | Yes |
| Comments? | The nearest through highway has a westbound sign at the turnoff stating "Chews Ridge LO. 9" (miles) <br /> <br />There is no signage at the pipe gate that leads to the tower. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? |
No
Tower was closed in 1989 or 1990. Has been unstaffed since then.
|
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? |
Yes
Per Acting District Ranger Pete Harris, the FFLA has his OK to proceed with rehab and staffing the lookout.<br/>I have begun to work on the logistics of starting a project.
Projected timeline:
Summer 2019: Recruit & train core group of local volunteers<br/>Fall 2019: Staff the tower on red flag weather days
Winter 2019: Replace sheetrock and floor tiles. Continued staff recruiting.
Spring 2020: Begin sustained operations
|
Photos |
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|
June 26, 2018: Scott McClintock
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | Yes |
| Shutters OK? | Yes |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | Although unpainted, the wood siding appears to be in serviceable condition. A semi-portable radio repeater vault is mounted at the foot of the south side, but there were no "radiation hazard" signs visible. Pine trees are shrouding the views on three sides. |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | Yes |
| Comments: | Semi-permanent repeater vault at foot of tower. |
| Other enroachments? | Trees blocking views. |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
| Comments? | No signage whatsoever from Tassajara Road, only a USFS-looking gate with a "Road Closed" sign at the road's summit. |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Unsure |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |
Photos |
|
Photo courtesy of Scott McClintock |
|
July 8, 2004: Pat Barthelow
Condition |
|
| Needs paint? | No Response |
| Shutters OK? | No Response |
| Condition of wood OK? | Yes |
| Stairs OK? | Yes |
| Glass intact? | Yes |
| Good condition? | Yes |
| Comments: | A Local group plans to adopt. . .Was told that there exists a written history of the site going back to the early 1900s. . . |
Electronics and Enroachments |
|
| Are electronic sites enroaching on tower? | No |
| Comments: | Looking for persons who wish to collate lookout histories to supply the history of Chews Ridge lookout when we get it. . |
| Other enroachments? | New growth pine trees since Marble Cone fire, approx 20 yrs old, obscuring view, possible presenting fire danger to structure |
Access and Signs |
|
| NHLR sign posted? | No |
| Directions to tower signed? | No |
Staffing |
|
| Staffed? | No |
Opportunities for Volunteer Support |
|
| Volunteers staffing opportunities? | Yes |
| Volunteer maintenance opportunities? | Yes |