Green Ridge closes for season

The Green Ridge fire lookout closed earlier this month, after another season of guarding the Sisters country from wildfire.

Mainly run by volunteers under Forest Service supervision, the lookout operated between July 1 and Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this dangerous fire season.

Originally built in 1933 and rebuilt in 1954, the one-room lookout has a 180­degree view over the Metolius Basin from its 4,600-foot perch.

In June, volunteers got together for a lookout procedures orientation. This included welcoming new lookout volunteers, scheduling who would work at the lookout each day over the summer, practicing radio etiquette, training in using fire lookout equipment and filling out the proper federal paperwork for volunteer status.

There were 16 volunteers this past summer, mainly from Central Oregon.

Volunteer Bob Naidis, from Bend, has been doing this work for five years.

"I wanted to do it," he said recently. "It's very quiet and peaceful and I like it.

"It's a 100-mile round trip for me each day," said the group's radio expert. "For communications we have a cell phone and a Forest Service radio to keep in touch with the Forest Service and Central Oregon Dispatch (Prineville) which coordinates fire and rescue activities in Central Oregon."

Other old-timers at the lookout include June and Bob Hill, Ron Roach, Sue and Harry Sprang and Alwyn Stockley.

Volunteers usually spend one day on duty at Green Ridge although some of the people choose to spend multiple days on duty.

A single bed, propane refrigerator, stove and other household amenities are in the one-room structure.

A picnic table and outside shower are located beneath the structure.

Bob Larson, a new volunteer this year, said he wanted to try lookout work again.

"I worked in the Siskiyous in 1941 as a fire lookout. This was a two-and-a-half month stint with mules bringing in food and equipment," Larson said."My first day at Green Ridge I was one of the stations calling in the Bald Peter fire this summer. It started as a small smoke and then really took off."

Other volunteers this year were Donna and Wayne Carter, Monique Allori, Bill Miller, Carol Pettit, Jack Walker and Richard and Elaine Wellman.

"It was too bad that we had to close on Labor Day," said Sue Sprang. "The lookout is very important to folks living in Camp Sherman as their area can be seen from Green Ridge."

Part of the Camp Sherman area cannot be seen from the Black Butte fire lookout because of placement of the operating tower.

It's hoped that the Green Ridge lookout schedule can be extended.

The Forest Service rents out Green Ridge, with its exceptional view of the Metolius Basin and Mt. Jefferson, during spring and fall months when the fire lookout is not in service.

Rental fees are used for upkeep and maintenance of the structure, which is currently receiving attention.