After nearly 40 years of dedicated service as a fire lookout at the Colby Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, Ken Jordan received unexpected news that this year would mark his final one on the job. The United States Forest Service has decided to decommission the tower due to maintenance concerns, planning to tear it down.
Since 1985, Jordan has been a trusted and familiar figure in the Butte Meadows and Jonesville areas, vigilantly scanning for signs of smoke from the tower located high above the communities in Lassen National Forest. Over the decades, he has reported hundreds of smoke sightings, playing an essential role in early fire detection. Jordan recalls notable incidents, including monitoring the Dixie Fire and the Park Fire, both of which threatened nearby regions.
Despite some maintenance needs that Jordan has managed himself, the Forest Service described the tower as a “piece of junk,” a characterization Jordan finds baffling and unfair. He insists the structure itself remains sound, and the decision to dismantle it came as a shock.
Currently, the tower houses two ALERT CALIFORNIA wildfire cameras, the sole smoke detection devices on the mountain. Community members have rallied around Jordan, highlighting his invaluable contribution. Kim Wessels, who was evacuated for 54 days during the Dixie Fire, credits Jordan for keeping residents informed about safety and air quality. Laurie Bowers also underscores the community’s trust in Jordan’s knowledge, noting that many turn to him for accurate information over social media reports.
Both Jordan and local residents hope the Forest Service will reconsider its decision and preserve the Colby Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, recognizing its ongoing importance to wildfire safety and the community’s well-being.
