(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.
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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.