MODOC COUNTY
MANZANITA MOUNTAIN
Modoc National Forest / California Department of Forestry
40N-10E-26
40N-10E-26
March 27, 1935: "A new lookout house of the latest type was constructed on Manzanita mountain last summer and a view from this lofty aerie covers a substantial part of Modoc county. The Modoc forest is unique in that every mountain top utilized for fire lookout purposes is accessible by auto." (The Klamath News)
July 25, 1940: "A lively forest fire broke out in the neighborhood of Fitzhugh Creek near the Manzanita Lookout Station. It was not under control." (Weekly Adin Argus)
November 3, 1944: "(O-Plans-Master-Project Work Budget) Attached find building needs and classification as to permanence for 27 stations on the Modoc National Forest, based on the detection study and fire replanning study of 1940.
Name of Station - Manzanita Lookout.
Type of Building - Lookout observation unit with living quarters underneath
Other buildings and utilities - 1. Garage and storage, 2 car.
2. Windcharger.
3. Water storage.
4. Latrine.
Remarks - This station has been the headquarters for a logging area patrolman in addition to the lookout. Continued logging and slash hazard following logging will require additional protection for some time to come." (From Acting Forest Supervisor, Modoc to Regional Forester)
1946: During the period of 1942 through 1946 this lookout made 28 first discoveries.
January 22, 1956: "Narrative Report on Structural Fire
1. A fire occurred in Manzanita Lookout building in August 1952 during evening hours. Discovery was within minutes after it started.
2. Building is permanent structure. Had been constructed and maintained satisfactorily and with acceptable materials. Was used for purpose constructed.
3. Cause of fire was through ignition of gasoline fumes by the flame of a Serval refrigerator. The gasoline fumes came from a gasoline powered radio battery generator. Both the generator and refrigerator were government owned and installed. Damage to improvements or equipment was negligible.
4. Fire was discovered by the occupant and was suppressed by a soda and acid type extinguisher and water. Occupant had been trained in fire first aid with extinguisher and water. Water was applied with back pack pump.
Prevention was lacking in that the generator should not have been installed in the building. Then the refrigerator, which was installed later, should not have been located in the same room with the generator.
5. Very typical of early fire season rush effective prevention inspection apparently did not catch the obvious fire hazard. Personnel charged with doing inspection were competent but failed, most likely, through lack of systematic check list. As one would suspect, immediately following the fire, a great shake up caused the prompt removal of all gasoline powered generators away from living quarters in the lookouts. Apparently a number of people had overlooked the same potential.
To help prevent another occurrence of a structural fire regular hazard hunts using the safety code and uniform building code fire safety requirements. These inspections are made along with regular safety inspections with written reports of findings for follow up action." (Memorandum to Forest Supervisor, from District Ranger - South Fork)