BUTTE COUNTY
SAWMILL PEAK
National Forest > California Department of Forestry
June 21, 1937: "High winds have caused considerable damage to lookout stations the past week. The lookout building at Sawmill Peak suffered losing it's shutters, losing a door as well." (Lassen Advocate - Susanville)
August 8, 1938: "A puff of smoke, apparently, evil omen of the forest lookout. He reaches for his glasses, and takes a look. It is a vapor-like smoke, obviously, extending 50 to 60 feet high, one of those fleshy types so characteristic of the foothill area near Paradise, on the Lassen Forest.
The lookout who discovered it was Neal Perdue, stationed at Sawmill Peak. He was watching for fires and sighted the hot flash. He immediately took a reading on his range finder. Approximate distance was four miles south. He called the district ranger at Stirling City on the telephone.
Investigation revealed a break in the 14-inch water line of the Paradise Irrigation Company, causing a huge spray which, from a distance, resembled a small "smoke." Within ten minutes, a repair crew was dispatched to the scene of the shower and a bad break was averted.
All of which goes to show that Uncle Sam's lookouts overlook nothing that resembles a fire in the forest. They are ever on the alert and see many things besides fires." (Lassen Advocate - Susanville)
March 17, 1939: "Sawmill Peak is a prominent point located on the west side of the Lassen, plainly visible to residents of the foothill country and the east side of the Sacramento Valley.
The Stirling City Ranger Station recently received a deluge of telephone calls and personal inquiries from residents of the Paradise and nearby localities concerning the mysterious disappearance of the Sawmill Lookout building. One of the "unusual" North Butte winds had been blowing for several days and, according to these voluntary reports, the Lookout building had suddenly vanished. After thanking everyone for their fine cooperation, we assured them that everything was all right and that the change in the landscape was merely the result of a CCC crew having removed the old building the day before, preparatory to the installation of a new lookout structure. - Campbell - Lassen -" (California Ranger)
August 7, 1991: "On July 11, 1991, Plumas National Forest Acting Supervisor, John Palmer, made a decision to reissue a Special Use Permit to the California Division of Forestry for the continued use of their Lookout Tower and related facilities and buildings included a weather station on Sawmill Peak. The Lookout Tower is located in the NW 1/4, NW 1/4 of Section 32, T.23 N., R. 4E., M.D.M." (Feather River Bulletin)
