BUTTE COUNTY – Over the past several months, a cooperative effort between PG&E, the Butte County Fire Safe Council and CAL FIRE has enabled significant restoration work to be completed on the Sawmill Peak lookout. The lookout had suffered vandalism in the past, including damage to the interior and exterior of the lookout and grounds.
Thanks to funding from PG&E, the Sawmill Peak lookout tower has been restored and is now consistently staffed.
This summer, in response to severe drought conditions, PG&E stepped forward to provide $56,000 to not only staff the lookout, but also to provide for maintenance and restoration of the lookout tower. This partnership, along with the Butte County Fire Safe Council, enabled CAL FIRE to provide consistent staffing and complete the much-needed maintenance and repairs, including maintenance of appliances, exterior paint, grounds and site security.
“This project exemplifies how communities and allied agencies can join together to provide additional layers of fire prevention and protection in our rural surroundings,” said Butte Unit Chief Greg McFadden. “We are all stakeholders in public safety.”
“PG&E is the community’s partner in safety,” said Lia White, senior manager of PG&E’s North Valley division leadership team. “We are pleased to collaborate with the Butte County Fire Safe Council and CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire to fund these ongoing projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire in the communities we serve and where we work and live.”
The Sawmill Peak lookout tower is located in the Plumas National Forest east of Magalia in Butte County.
Email Currents at currents@pge.com.