THOMPSON PEAK
Tuolumne County - Stanislaus National Forest
August 18, 1939: "At 1:01 p.m. on August 8, Lookout-Fireman Carpenter on Thompson Peak Lookout in the Stanislaus National Forest, was attracted by the reflection of a shining object close to the right of way of a logging railroad one-half mile away from the tower. Curious as to the reflection but not able to determine what it was, he looked closely with the aid of field glasses. A few minutes later he thought he saw a tiny wisp of smoke rising from the reflection. He immediately reported to Fire Dispatcher Zimmerman at Sonora who sent Carpenter to investigate.
Upon arrival at 1:16 p.m. Carpenter found a small blaze two feet in diameter in grass and bear clover. In the center of the blaze was a broken piece of window glass about 6x10 inches, suspended about 3 inches above the grass by bear clover surrounding it. The fire had unquestionably started from the focusing of the sun's rays through the glass, creating enough heat to ignite the grass.
The occurrence of the fire establishes proof to the theory that ordinary glass can start a fire where location, weather, and fuel conditions are favorable. However, this is the first fire in the Stanislaus National Forest definitely known to have been started this way. -Stanislaus-" (California Ranger)
Upon arrival at 1:16 p.m. Carpenter found a small blaze two feet in diameter in grass and bear clover. In the center of the blaze was a broken piece of window glass about 6x10 inches, suspended about 3 inches above the grass by bear clover surrounding it. The fire had unquestionably started from the focusing of the sun's rays through the glass, creating enough heat to ignite the grass.
The occurrence of the fire establishes proof to the theory that ordinary glass can start a fire where location, weather, and fuel conditions are favorable. However, this is the first fire in the Stanislaus National Forest definitely known to have been started this way. -Stanislaus-" (California Ranger)
Removed