Historic Colby Mountain Lookout to Remain Open After Reversal

The U.S. Forest Service decided to keep the fire lookout staffed and operational for the upcoming fire season.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The historic Colby Mountain Fire Lookout in California's Lassen National Forest will remain open and staffed after the U.S. Forest Service reversed its decision to close the site. The lookout, which was established in 1912 and rebuilt in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is a critical early fire detection site that has been in operation for over a century.

Why it matters

The Colby Mountain Lookout is an important asset for the local community, providing early fire detection and a sense of safety for residents. Its closure would have been a significant loss, both in terms of public safety and the preservation of a historic landmark. The reversal of the decision to close the lookout is a victory for the community, which rallied together to advocate for its continued operation.

The details

The Forest Service had initially decided to close the Colby Mountain Lookout last fall, citing structural concerns and repair costs. However, after a community-led effort, including petitions, letters, and advocacy from local residents and the Butte County Board of Supervisors, the agency reversed its decision. Longtime lookout Kenneth Jordan, who has worked at the site for 41 years, will be returning to the reopened lookout, which he says is 'huge for the community.' The reversal is also seen as significant on a larger scale, as it 'will reverberate throughout the whole lookout world all over the country'.

  • The original Colby Mountain Lookout was established in 1912.
  • The current tower was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
  • The lookout was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
  • The Forest Service decided to close the lookout last fall.
  • The decision to keep the lookout open was reversed in February 2026.

The players

Kenneth Jordan

A longtime lookout who has worked at the Colby Mountain Lookout for about 41 years.

Laurie Bowers

A local resident and advocate for the reopening of the Colby Mountain Lookout, who led the 'Save Colby Mountain Lookout' Facebook group.

Butte County Board of Supervisors

The county government that notified the Forest Service that they wanted the Colby Mountain Lookout to remain open.

United States Forest Service

The federal agency that initially decided to close the Colby Mountain Lookout, but later reversed the decision.

Civilian Conservation Corps

The New Deal program that built the current tower of the Colby Mountain Lookout in 1934.

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What they’re saying

“If I'm not up here, like on a day off, (residents) worry. They have a lot more confidence in their safety when I'm up there.”

— Kenneth Jordan, Longtime lookout

“(She) took it upon herself to do all the computer work, all the emailing and this and that. I think she gets to be the MVP in all this. She did almost all of it. She was just amazing, I couldn't believe it.”

— Kenneth Jordan, Longtime lookout

“This is giant. This will reverberate throughout the whole lookout world all over the country.”

— Kenneth Jordan, Longtime lookout

What’s next

The Forest Service will continue discussions with the community about the long-term future of the Colby Mountain Lookout.

The takeaway

The reversal of the decision to close the historic Colby Mountain Lookout is a victory for the local community, demonstrating the power of grassroots advocacy to preserve important cultural and public safety assets. The lookout's continued operation will provide early fire detection and a sense of security for residents, while also preserving a piece of California's history.