KERN COUNTY
OAK FLAT
Sequoia National Forest
September 26, 1934: "The United States forest service is building a new steel lookout tower on Oak Flat peak six miles below Davis ranger station on Greenhorn Mountain." (Bakersfield Californian)
July 12, 1940: "The Rattlesnake grade fire this morning was discovered by the Oak Flat lookout post. Twelve county firemen and 20 men from a prison camp in the vicinity were detailed to fight the fire, bringing it under control within two hours." (Bakersfield Californian)
June 28, 1945: "An emergency call Wednesday sent Sequoia National Forest service officials into action when they answered an S.O.S. from the Greenhorn district's only woman fire lookout guard, Mrs. Andre Keown, stationed at Oak Flat.
Stricken by an infection in her throat, Mrs. Keown radioed the Bakersfield headquarters of the Greenhorn district of the Sequoia National Forest.
District Ranger R.F. Droege in turn radioed the Fulton ranger station and dispatched Allen Sheldon, fire control assistant, to Mrs. Keown's station. Mr. Sheldon rushed to the Oak Flat lookout point and brought Mrs. Keown to Bakersfield, leaving Jerry Preton, fire suppression crewman from Democrat station, in her place.
Mrs. Keown began as a lookout guard for the Greenhorn district May 15 and was stationed at Oak Flat point. Her daughter, Donna, 4, stays at the lookout point with her, and her husband, Arnold Keown, is stationed at Fort Ord, awaiting overseas assignment." (Bakersfield Californian)