Firefinder

This is an Osborne Firefinder. It was invented by a forester in 1911 and patented in 1913. Since then it has been the primary tool for fire lookouts on forests.

When the lookout sees a plume of smoke, he zeros in on it with the sights seen here. On the round central face of the firefinder is a map, with the lookout in the center.

This firefinder is the one Clayton Weir uses at Table Rock Lookout. The lookout sits south of Dayton (just south of Bluewood ski area) and straight east of Walla Walla. Mr. Weir is spending the summer watching over our Blue Mountains, keeping a steady eye out for any blazes that could get out of hand.