LOOKOUT PEAK
MENDOCINO COUNTY
California Department of Forestry
March 26, 1930: “M.B. Pratt, of Sacramento, chief of the division of forestry, was here from Sacramento Friday to inspect the fire trails being built in the hills west of town. While here the chief unfolded the fact a fire lookout station will be maintained next summer on the hill directly west of Clay street.
A fire trail is being built to the spot from the foot of Clay street and when it is completed a telephone line will be installed and the station built.
According to Mr. Pratt the mountain affords a view of the valley from Hopland to the Ridgwood ranch, all of Potter Valley and Redwood Valley and most of the high land between this city and Lake county and when the fire hazard grows with warm weather a lookout will be maintained at all times.
The fire trails west of town are from 30 to 50 feet wide and run north and south and east and west. It was at first intended to install the lookout station on Pine Ridge but a survey showed the present chosen site as suitable and much more accessible to telephone service.” (Ukiah Republican Press)
June 7, 1930: “A ‘lookout tower’ twenty feet high was erected this week on the highest peak in the hills just west of Ukiah. From this point all of the country within a radius of 25 miles is in plain view, and a man will be stationed there during the period of fire hazard. Linemen are now erecting poles and stringing telephone wires from Ukiah to the lookout station so that the observer can send in the alarm immediately as soon as a fire is spotted.
The extensive system of fire trails and laterals built on the ridges of Ukiah last winter have been completed.” (Ukiah Dispatch Democrat)
June 18, 1930: “The lookout station at the top of the mountain directly west of Ukiah is undergoing finishing touches this week and it is expected, by the end of the present week it will be equipped and ready for use. The building, which with the lookout tower, is 20 feet tall, is at the crest of the fire trail leading up from Clay street and commands a view of a radius of 25 miles in all directions. Last week linemen of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company installed poles and ran a telephone line into the building and it is expected forest fires will hardly break out until their direct location will be reported at the headquarters of State Forest Inspector R.E. Roach here. It is planned to have a forest ranger on duty every hour during the summer months.
The erection of the station is an added attraction to this city, many persons planning to visit the lookout and learn exactly how the government handles forest fire control. With the fire trails encircling the mountains west of the city there is no doubt Ukiah will be saved much of the apprehension felt in other years when the fire hazard has been greatest.” (Ukiah Republican Press)
July 19, 1930: “The final work is now being done at the Ukiah Station and the observer, M. Hair, will go on duty next Monday, July 21. A telephone line has been extended from the end of Clay street to the top of the mountain and the lookout can report any fire in this section immediately to the fire ranger,s headquarters in town. The station has a commanding view of all of southeastern Mendocino county.” (Ukiah Dispatch Democrat)
July 30, 1930: “The fire lookout station west of Clay street was opened Monday with firewarden M. Hair on duty. A 24-hour lookout service will be maintained during the remainder of the summer.” (Ukiah Republican Press)
August 13, 1930: “The expeditious manner in which the forest fire menace is taken care of was demonstrated Thursday when the lookout on the mountain west of town reported smoke arising from Pine Mountain, near the Sonoma-Mendicino counties line.
Forest Ranger Willis Dimmick left immediately for the scene and after several hours of fire fighting, during which seven acres of brush and grass lands were burned over, had the fire under complete control. Before the days of forest-fire-fighting efficiency the fire would probably have burned for weeks with great damage to stockmen and other property as dry brush and grass abounds in that vicinity.” (Ukiah Republican Press)
September 3, 1930: The house on the former Ed Wright place on the Low Gap road, was destroyed by fire recently. The building, which was a mere shell was quickly consumed. The rising smoke was detected immediately by the fire lookout stationed on the mountain west of town and forest rangers left at once and prevented the fire spreading to nearby timber. The former Wright place is now owned by Guy Redwine.” (Ukiah Republican Press)
2017 – Any additional data/information pictures sent to me will be added to this website.
Bill Ulmer
1941wwu@gmail.com