Perhaps 10 years ago, MLW and I were in California (we went to both north and
south parts of the state but I can't recall exactly where) where we went to a
car museum that had a bunch of fire fighting equipment.  They had several wooden
extension ladders and gave the story that in that town (San Diego??) they still
use wooden ladders.  They repair them themselves and the oldest ladder still in
service is from 1906 (Like Washington’s hatchet, though).  I think it had to do
with electric wires on poles.

I, too, had a 40 foot extension ladder in wood.  The best part of it was that it
got wider at the bottom so was very stable (if you could get it into place)

Ed Minch