BRITISH COLUMBIA LOOKOUTS

IDAHO PEAK

Central Kootenay

March 15, 1942:   "Kenny McCannel writes us from Nelson as follows:  'An interesting phase of ultra protection was experienced with at New Denver last summer.  Lookouts with battery equipped radios call in only on schedule, or special calls and cannot remain on stand-by indefinitely, but for special contact when the Mt. Idaho lookout is required a mirror is flashed from Ranger Palethorpe's office window to the lookout, which is 3 1/2 miles away and 5600 feet above the office.  In dull weather a dark tarpaulin is hung out the window and shows up very clearly against the white wall.  A check of the efficiency of this method of asking the lookoutman to call in on his radio resulted in a reply within 25 to 30 seconds after a few seconds flash with a mirror."   (Forest Branch Newsletter)