Mendocino National Forest begins reconstruction of High Glade Lookout
- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — This week Mendocino National Forest contractors began reconstruction of the High Glade Lookout, which was destroyed by a wildfire in 2018.
The lookout is located near the southern boundary of Mendocino National Forest in Lake County on 16N37 Rd, or High Glade Road.
Forest officials ask visitors to avoid High Glade Road and to expect increased traffic on 16N30 Road, which also is known as Sam Alley Road off Pitney Lane). Access to the construction site will be closed to the public.
Prior to the Ranch Fire, High Glade lookout was in use and staffed seasonally to detect wildfires in the summer and fall months. After the rebuild, the lookout will be staffed again. The location provides 360-degree views of the southern end of the forest as well as communities around Clear Lake in Lake County.
“This is an important milestone to rebuild our critical infrastructure on the forest after the Ranch Fire,” said Upper Lake District Ranger Frank Aebly. “Lookout towers serve an important role in wildfire detection, but even beyond that High Glade Lookout provides vital visitor services, education and communication during emergencies.”
The lookout was originally built in the 1930s in the Civilian Conservation Corps era when other lookouts on the forest were built. At the time that it burned, the lookout was around 85 years old.
The replacement lookout tower will be similar in shape and size to the previous structure, a 10 foot by 10 foot square cabin sitting atop a 35 foot steel tower.
Forest engineers secured funding for the design and rebuild in 2022 through the Disaster Supplemental funding. Construction is expected to take a year to complete, weather permitting.
The Mendocino National Forest consists of approximately 927,650 acres along northern California’s coastal range. The forest includes the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, four designated wilderness areas, two designated wild and scenic rivers, Red Bluff Recreation Area, and the Chico Seed Orchard. Headquartered in Willows, the forest maintains district offices in the communities of Covelo and Upper Lake.