Historic Angora Lookout saved from Caldor fire with aluminized wrap

After almost being lost in the 2007 Angora Fire, the historic Angora Lookout buildings were protected from the 2021 Caldor Fire with aluminized structure wrap.

As the fire made a move to the east, firefighters working ahead of it had time to proactively protect properties by cutting limbs, reducing vegetation, removing flammable material and bulldozing lines.

They had a contingency plan to also cover the historic lookout to protect it from radiant heat and embers by using what looks like a lot of aluminum foil.

The original Angora Lookout was built at Angora in 1924 in the standard style the Forest Service started using nationwide in 1914 after the design was conceived by forester Coert DuBois.

It served the Tahoe Basin's fire surveillance needs for many years. This structure was later converted into a small residence for the individuals in charge of the lookout. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the current lookout alongside the original and a third structure was built in the 1940s that served as the garage. The Angora Lookout was in use until it was replaced in the late 1970s by improvements in aerial and satellite technology.

Excerpts from the Lookout logs:

December 12, 1924: "At the most important fire lookout station in Lake Valley, Angora Lookout above Fallen Leaf Lake, 75 guests registered one day in July. These people come from all parts of the United States and practically all of them were given fire prevention literature, route maps and other publicity matter."

August 20, 1925: "Lookout Waterhouse located on Angora Lookout in Lake Valley reports a registration of 606 persons at his lookout for the month of July. He states that about 15 percent of the visitors did not register, and that the largest previous registration for a month at this point was 488. Who said the life of a Forest lookout was lonely?"

August 27, 1936: "Hardly believable is the report of the number of visitors during the month of July at Angora Fire Lookout, on Eldorado Forest. Situated on the moraine in Lake Valley District, which separates Fallen Leaf Lake from Lake Valley, the lookout is well off the beaten path and the figures given indicate the Mr. and Mrs. John Public are prepared to leave beaten paths in their search for scenic beauty. The report shows that during the month 900 persons registered at the lookout. There were 1,225 automobiles passed the lookout and these carried 3,405 persons. Three hundred four saddle horses also passed the lookout during the month. The road to the lookout, from Meyers, takes off the main highway about a mile north of Meyers and passes Celio's sawmill. It is well signed. Beyond the lookout is a parking area from which visitors may hike three-quarters of a mile to Angora Lakes, a scenic beauty spot which many find well worth the trip."