AZURE MOUNTAIN FIRE OBSERVERS 1914-1978
| Saint Regis Falls
Historians Newsletter, Vol. 6 (March 1996) The year is 1978. It is the end of the fire season at Azure (Blue) mountain, and observer Mike Richards removes the phone, radio, batteries and binoculars before locking up the Tower. Winter is approaching fast and it will be months before the tower will be opened for another season. Unfortunately for Mike and Azure Mountain, there wasn’t another season. Since the establishment of an observation station at Azure (Blue) Mountain, at least nine men were appointed observers over a sixty-four year period. Who were these men that would hike the mountain everyday through all kinds of weather, spending hours at a time on a lonely surveillance? What were they like? [1914 - ??] Fred Smith appears to be the first observer at Azure Station. He is remembered principally for his endurance and courage during the lightning strike incident at the cabin with his son. (details of story in Vol. V Newsletter). Fred most likely “helped” construct trails, build the cabin, and built some type of observation post at the top of the mountain. He worked under district ranger J.A. Latour of Saranac Lake, along with Bert Parks and Burt Camp. [1920 - mid-1920’s] Bert Parks replaced Fred Smith before 1920. It is believed that Bert Parks and his long-time friend Burt Camp were on the work crews that built the original cabin, hauled steel sections for the tower up the mountain by horse, and helped construction of the initial phone lines to the Tower. Mr. Parks was the first observer to use the new panoramic map for fire detection in 1921. Bert reported numerous fires during the two years he was appointed observer. One fire he reported on June 2, 1923, three miles south of Azure Mountain, burned 400 acres along with Earl Day’s Hunting Lodge, before being extinguished.  Maurice Camp, an
early resident of the St. Regis Falls area, remembers Bert Parks and
writes, “I visited Bert Parks frequently with my Dad, enjoying his camp
and hospitality. I remember Bert had an icehouse near his cabin where
he kept venison jerky and passed it around.” In 1920 Bert Parks close friend, Burt Camp, was appointed Ranger and remained in that position until 1953. [Late 20’ - early 1930’s] Roy Whitcomb was appointed to replace Bert Parks. The late 1920’s and early 30’s saw many changes on Azure (Blue) Mountain. A new cabin was erected and the original cabin was moved back up the hill to the right and used for storage. New telephone lines were constructed, converting ground circuits into metallic circuits on poles. Besides helping with the new construction Roy was kept quite busy reporting fires. Sixty one fires were reported between 1927-1932 by Roy, including one at the Blue Mountain House on June 4, 1932. During this period the State opened its public relations campaign. Hiking trails were improved to the observation sites and the observers and rangers were to show the visitors around and explain their purpose. Sometimes that didn’t work out as planned. Roy was known to holster a pistol at times while on duty. Occasionally he would shoot it off, and for unsuspecting visitors, the shot scared them off their feet. Pearl Palmer (Potter) and her girl friend had that happen to them once. Maurice Camp writes of Roy: “I remember Roy Whitcomb well because I, as a teenager visited him often. Staying with Roy was frequently in my plans for fishing and hunting in the area; and of course, I spent many enjoyable hours with Roy in the observation tower.”  Before Roy was replaced, Albert Leo-Wolf (pilot) flew the first fire observation plane in 1931. One year later a larger plane with a radio, took to the sky with flying ranger Fred McLane. The use of airplanes eventually led to the termination of all manual observation stations.  [Late 30’s - early
40’s] Doris LaGray seems to be the least remembered as an observer.
Jimmy Jackson remembers Doris and his wife with a friend staying at the
cabin. Jimmy and Gerald Palmer both remembered Doris for his unusual
stunt he would perform on a bet. It seems he had the uncanny ability to
stand on his head, while propped against a wall, and drink a bottle of
beer. I wonder if he ever lost a bet? [Early 40’s - 1946] Mr. Fournier worked only a few years as an observer, unfortunately ending in tragedy. On August 18, 1946 Mr. Fournier went into the cabin and sat down behind the table in a rocking chair. He lit up a cigarette and sat back for a moments rest. Several hours later, after Harry failed to report in, a ranger was sent out to check and found that Harry died suddenly while setting in the chair. He became the only observer to die while on duty at Azure (Blue) Mountain.  [1946] Earl Johnston was quickly appointed to fill the vacancy after Harry Fournier’s death. Maurice Camp mentioned in one of his recent letters, [“Charismatic Earl was a hunter and fisherman and loved the out-of-doors. He was a natural for the observer’s job, especially when it came to greeting the numerous visitors and sharing his expertise with them. Earl retired in 1954 (55) due to poor health. Katherine and I, and Earl and Inez got together quite often for a meal etc. both at the observers cabin and my cabin across from the mountain, which I built in 1953”] Before Earl retired Lymond (Jim) Camp, Burt’s son was appointed State Forest Ranger.  [1956-1969] Like his
predecessor, Lawrence Bailey was very knowledgeable of the
out-of-doors. He took great interest in plants. His daughter,
Bonnie, said that Lawrence planted trees on Azure Mountain, besides his
primary duty of fire observer. She remembers going out to visit her
father and he would point out various trees to her, especially the two
trees that grew together (or married) forming one. Lawrence would
commute to the Mountain each day, but occasionally stayed at the cabin
to entertain visitors. When he retired in 1969 he still maintained his
close relationship to plants. I can still remember the beautiful
gardens he grew.[1970-1976] Earl Forkey transferred over to Azure (Blue) Mountain from Loon Lake Mountain, where he had previously been observer for six years. Earl was also very fond of the out-of-doors. He loved to fish, and would fish  his way back and
forth to work when time permitted. Earl’s note book,
recalls various aspects of his duties and events of Azure Mountain.
“Oct. 26, 1973 reported fire 3:00 PM. 6:30 PM fire out. 5-6 acres two
miles McCavanaugh Pond.”
“March 5th, 1971, 18º, road closed in
blizzard snow.” “June 10th, 1972, cleaned around camp, rain and snow
all day.” “1975, Doe with fawn on top of the Mountain all summer.”
“1976, telephone poles and lines badly in need of repair.” “November 1,
1976, 67 years old, terminated with one day notice.” This was a shock
for Earl. He really loved the mountain, but knew it was just a matter
of time. December 31, 1975 talk of closing the tower. The early 70’s saw increased airplane surveillance thru-out the State and numerous manned observation stations were permanently closed already.  [1977-1978] The following spring, 18 year old Mike Richards replaced Earl Forkey. Mike received 3-4 weeks training under Eddie Samburgh at St. Regis Mountain before he took over Azure. The year was quite wet and he worked for awhile in the woodshop at Lake Clear Hatchery, making new screens, doors, etc. When Mike returned to Azure he stained the cabin, fixed the screens and doors, dug a new privy hole, besides building a new privy. The phone lines had to be repaired and sometimes Eddie Samburgh, from St. Regis Tower, would come over and help with the lines. Everyday the weather, wind, temperature had to be recorded in a log. Now that airplanes were in use they had to be recorded and checked in during the day. Mike remembers one fire by Lake Ozonia (Trout Lake) that burned 4-5 acres and was extinguished before reaching a small camp. Hikers and visitors totaled well over 1200-1300 per year at the mountain. Observers now had an added responsibility to report lost and injured visitors. Each year a bus load of ROTC students would climb the mountain to rappel over the ledges for training. One fell while Mike was on duty and the St. Regis Falls Rescue Squad had to skid him down off the rocks. John Trippeny was in charge of the rescue at that time. Mike started a fire in the cabin fireplace on rainy damp days and shared it with hikers. The outside fireplace (which is still there) he would use to cook on and boil traps. The era of manned observation towers for fire detection ended at Azure (Blue) Mountain, that last fall day of 1978 when Mike Richards locked up the buildings for the winter. Three quarters of the stations 1990 the last operating Tower at St. Regis Mountain closed ending 81 years of mountain observers. They were a rare breed of men devoted to the protection of the forest for their children and all generations to come. Our thanks to each and every one of them. May they never be forgotten. By Doug Egeland  (Ref: Adirondack News, NYS Forest Reports, NYS Conservation Reports) AZURE MOUNTAIN FIRE
OBSERVERS & RANGERS*
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