BUTTE MEADOWS — A petition to ask the U.S. Forest Service to save the Colby Mountain Fire Lookout was among the ideas coming from a community meeting Saturday in this mountain town.

About 30 people, mostly residents, gathered at the Butte Meadows Mercantile, along with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and long-time fire lookout Ken Jordan. Most planned to sign the petition.

After 40 years as the main occupant of the fire lookout, Jordan was told last month — during the federal shutdown — that the Forest Service decided to retire the lookout structure and tear it down. Jordan was told the structure was in bad repair, an assumption he contests.

With no less risk during fire season, residents were angry to hear of the decision, citing the removal of their “eyes on the forest” — Jordan

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