Thieves broke a door and caused thousands of dollars in damage to the Heybrook fire lookout near Index. (U.S. Forest Service)

Thieves broke a door and caused thousands of dollars in damage to the Heybrook fire lookout near Index. (U.S. Forest Service)

Thieves break into, damage historic fire lookout near Index

The cost to repair and replace stolen items likely will exceed $3,000 according to the U.S. Forest Service.

INDEX — Thieves caused thousands of dollars in damage to a historic fire lookout near Index, the U.S. Forest Service said Wednesday.

Heybrook Lookout had been closed to overnight stays for about a week because locks were freezing in icy weather, said Colton Whitworth, a public affairs specialist for the Forest Service.

During that time, vandals illegally drove up an access road, cut through a locked trapdoor, busted deadbolts and broke window glass. They stole lanterns and gear. The cost to repair and replace stolen items likely will exceed $3,000.

The damage was discovered over the weekend.

This year the Forest Service started taking reservations to stay the night at the lookout, where a short hike leads to dramatic views of Mount Baring and other peaks.

The lookout was built on the site of another from the 1920s. Rangers staffed it until the ’70s.

Tips can be directed to the Skykomish Ranger District at 360-677-2414, or 911.

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