Historic, rare California fire lookout sees continued restoration

(FOX40.COM) — A historic California fire lookout in the Tahoe National Forest has enjoyed its retirement as a popular camping spot but has needed some serious love and care.

Recently, Tahoe National Forest staff shared a video of exterior improvements being made to the 90-year-old fire lookout.

The video highlighted staff from the Tahoe National Forest’s timber program scrapping off old worn paint and preparing the exterior walls for a few coats of fresh white paint.

A few new picnic tables were also added to the popular camping sight.

In 2023, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allowed for the lookout dirt floor basement to be covered with a new concrete floor.

The Calpine lookout was constructed in 1934 as a three-story structure with external stairs at an elevation of 5,980 feet, about 40 miles from Truckee.

According to the Forest Service, Calpine is one of three surviving windmill-style lookouts in California.

The lookout was actively staffed until 1975 and is occasionally used as a fire lookout during summer lightning activity.

Today Calpine is a popular camping spot where people are able to reserve the top-level observation cab for overnight camping .

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