KLAMATH COUNTY
YAINAX BUTTE
Klamath Forest Protective Association; 37S-12E-26
August 20, 1915: "The telephone lines to the tops of Bald Butte (early name for Yainax Butte) and Aspen Lake Mountain have been completed, and the fire fighters in the county are much better equipped as a result for keeping a sharp lookout for fires. The line to the top of Bald Mountain reaches an altitude of 7,750 feet, and provides quick communication with headquarters from one of the best lookouts in the county." (The Evening Herald)
June 3, 1920: "Your letter of April 30th has remained unanswered all this time because I have been laid up in my home with a very serious attack of rheumatism and this is my second day outside.
Mr. Radcliffe evidently misunderstood my talk with him regarding the Baldy Butte lookout man's salary. I suggested to him that you folks and this association ought to divide the cost left unpaid by the State Forester. I assume from your letter that you did not know that Mr. Elliot had a little Weeks fund money which he has always diverted to us for lookout work. I don't recall that I made that feature at all plain to Mr. Radcliffe and quite likely he understood me to mean that we ought to divide on the cost after getting what is normal from the state. Along that line I figured that I would not hire anyone without your approval.
I expect that we will be obliged to pay about $100.00 per month. No arrangement for joint payment was made with Mr. West. Kimball" (Letter to J.A. Howarth, Klamath Agency from Klamath-Lake Counties Forest Fire Association)
1923: "We rebuilt our telephone line to Yainax Butte where the Weyerhauser interests have a lookout and gave and received information regarding forest fires." (Annual Forestry Report, Klamath Agency)
July 2, 1924: "A forest fire of considerable proportions was spotted yesterday by the lookout on Yainax Butte south of his post and reported late in the afternoon to the Klamath Forest Protective Association office here.
At first it was feared that the fire was in the timbered slopes of Brandt Mountain but investigation disclosed the fire located on the slopes of Timber Mountain in the Modoc National Forest, northern California. The blaze was just 50 miles south of Yainax Butte and 20 miles southeast of Malin.
Lookouts on different peaks throughout the county reported, for the first time yesterday, that the hazy atmosphere made spotting of fires difficult." (The Evening Herald)
July 27, 1924: "The lookout on Yainax Butte reported a fire on Horsefly Mountain." (Medford Sun)
August 22, 1925: " "It's Darn Cold on Top of Mountain, Lookout Complains"
"Its so darn cold up on this mountain that I really believe its going to snow."
This is the pessimistic word received this morning from the forest fire lookout who spends most of his time on top of Yainax Butte searching for the slightest evidence of fire in Sprague River Valley.
"Cold? Well, I'll say so. Its colder today than it has been for a long time."
And of course with high humidity, a disparity of campers and a threatening rain storm, no new fires were reported today to the Klamath Forest Protective Association." (The Evening Herald)
July 10, 1928: "Roy Bevelin, forest fire lookout on Yainax Butte, espied smoke arising in the Swan Lake country. He telephoned into headquarters and not only established the general location of the blaze but described the "40," the township and the general description so accurately that the fire fighters under the leadership of Duncan McLean had no difficulty in extinguishing the blaze.
The blaze was near the Telford-Reed lumber mill. Owners of the plant used their caterpillar to control the blaze by dragging several logs around the fire and creating a fire trail. No damage was incurred in the blaze." (The Evening Herald)
July 29, 1928: "After talking with Yainax lookout relative to his orientation, he is now plotting in well on the reservation. On July 25 a fire occurred just off the reservation and was plotted from the readings from three lookouts namely;- Yainax, Calimus and Pitt and they hit exact.
Mr. F.M. Wilkes covered the reservation with a survey, with the purpose in mind of making an accurate fire map. This summer it has been demonstrated that the map made from his survey is very accurate.
I am enclosing herewith a copy of his azimuth data for use on the Yainax Butte Lookout which I am sure will help you in locating the exact position of Yainax. I will also under separate cover send you a blue print made from Mr. Wilkes survey which shows the location of the Yainax Butte Lookout." (Letter to the Supervisor of the Fremont National Forest from the Superintendent of the Klamath Agency)
June 20, 1930: "A road has been completed to the top of Yainax Butte in June." (The Evening Herald)
September 25, 1930: "EXECUTIVE ORDER"
"Withdrawal of public lands for lookout station - Oregon
Under authority of the act of Congress approved June 25, 1910 (36 stat. 497), and subject to the conditions therein expressed, it is hereby ordered that the SW 1/2 SW 1/4 Sec. 26, T. 37S., R.12E., Willamette Meridian, Oregon, containing 40 acres, be, and the same is hereby, temporarily withdrawn from settlement, location, sale, or entry for use as a lookout station in connection with cooperative forest protection work.
This order shall remain in full force and effect unless and until revoked by the President or by act of Congress.
Signed - Herbert Hoover
The White House
September 25, 1930
October 1, 1930: "The Klamath Forest Protective Association announces that Yainax butte, in the eastern part of the county near Beatty, will be developed into a modern lookout. Steel for the construction of a 21-foot tower has already been ordered and will be immediately assembled. In addition to this the association will construct an auto road to the summit of the mountain so that tourists and interested parties may be able to get an idea of what a lookout is and how it functions, without the necessity of a long walk. Yainax butte is one of the finest lookouts in Klamath county, covering a large expanse of country. It has been used as such ever since there has been a protective organization in that section." (The Forest Log)
October 4, 1930: "A steel lookout tower is being constructed at the present time on Yainax butte by the Forest Protective association, it was announced last night by Duncan McLean, assistant head of the association.
A fine road has been built to the top of Yainax butte, 42 miles east of Klamath Falls, and east of Bonanza, and it is now possible for motorists to drive to the top of the butte over the scenic road which also acts as a fire trail.
The top of the butte has an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level and a beautiful view is obtainable. Spring water has been found at the top of the butte." (The Evening Herald)
October 9, 1930: "Steel for the construction of a 21-foot fire lookout tower at Yainax Butte, near Beatty in the eastern part of Klamath County, has been ordered by the Klamath Forest Protective Association, according to Lynn F. Cronemiller, state forester.
The association will construct an automobile road to the top of the mountain so visitors may get an idea what a lookout is and how it operates." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1930: A 21-foot steel model LS-40 Aermotor tower with a 7 x 7 steel cab was constructed.
June 8, 1935: "The Klamath Protective association has completed its preparations for the fire season. Ben Swigart has been stationed on the summit of Yainax butte as a lookout." (The Evening Herald)
1936: A ground house was constructed for the lookouts living quarters.
July 26, 1937: "Indicating the prevalence of lightning, the lookout on Yainax butte reported to forest protective offices Monday that since July 22 he had reported 33 fires, while the Indian Service in that neighborhood had sighted 28 fires. This makes a total of 61 lightning-started fires in that section, alone. Forest officials said there must have been 80 to 90 small fires started by lightning strikes since the storm period began." (The Evening Herald)
July 28, 1937: "A small forest fire near Bly was reported to the Klamath Forest Protective Association Wednesday morning shortly after it broke out. The fire was seen and reported by the Yainax mountain lookout. It caused no serious damage, the association office stated.
The forest fire situation looks better than it has for several days, with the many blazes started by recent electrical storms all out or under control." (The Evening Herald)
August 14, 1937: "The Yainax Butte lookout of the Klamath Forest Protective association reported to his headquarters here Friday that he had sighted two fires south of Clear Lake, California.
The fires are burning outside the Klamath Forest protective area and are believed in the Modoc National Forest.
Both fires were reported to be of considerable size.
The Klamath Forest Protective association district has been unusually free of fires so far this summer." (The Klamath News)
August 15, 1937: "Fire reported Friday south of Clear lake were under control Saturday, with no damage done. The fires were sighted by the Yainax butte lookout of the Klamath Forest Protective association." (The Klamath News)
June 7, 1938: "Main lookouts in this area are now manned. Ben Swigart went Sunday to his post at the top of Yainax butte." (The Klamath News)
June 23, 1938: "The lookout on Yainax butte in the eastern part of the county Thursday morning sighted a smoke that may prove to be a snag fire set by lightning. Klamath Forest Protective men went to the smoke.
Lightning played over the eastern part of the county Tuesday night and may have set other fires now in "sleeper" status." (The Evening Herald)
August 22, 1938: "The lookout on Yainax butte reported a 30-mile wind and humidity reading of 17. Sunday a 25-mile wind blew, and forest protective officials admitted they had a bad case of the jitters.": (The Evening Herald)
July 13, 1939: "Ben Swigart, lookout at Yainax, reported a 20 mile an hour wind and said that humidity was down to 21. It was Swigart's belief that very little valuable timber has been destroyed by noon Thursday, but with the humidity falling no one could predict how long it would be before it would cover the short distance to a valuable stand of timber." (The Chiloquin Review)
July 20, 1939: "Northern Klamath's fire front had been reduced considerably late today by successful holding of the Yainax Butte fire and the practical extinction of the of the Saddle Mountain fire that burned practically all of last week.
Lookout Ben Swigart, on Yainax Butte was without phone communication late Wednesday according to reports, but short wave communication was said to have been tried to contact him.
Swigart sets in a strategic spot to help in the direction of the fire fighting operations, because he has a far view of the entire burning area." (The Chiloquin Review)
August 2, 1939: "A 100-acre fire was sighted by the Yainax Butte lookout in the Silver Lake country of Lake County. It was believed partially controlled." (Medford Mail Tribune)
June 18, 1940: "The Klamath Forest Protective service announced that Saturday morning a telephone line was completed between Yainax Butte lookout and the headquarters of County Fire Warden Dan Warner of Bly." (The Klamath News)
1940: The lookout was staffed for 180 days. Communications was by telephone and radio to the Bly Warden Station.
May 24, 1941: "The association announced that J. Clemens is going immediately to Yainax butte to occupy the lookout station there." (The Klamath News)
May 27, 1943: "The Klamath Forest Protective association announced the names of three women who will serve as lookouts Mrs. Twyla Ferguson goes to Yainax butte, 10 miles southwest of Bly." (Herald and News)
June 17, 1943: "Twyla Ferguson, one of the women to take lookout stations this summer, will leave Friday to take her post on Yainax Butte." (Herald and News)
July 24, 1946: "The tower at Yainax is of modern steel construction, set in concrete blocks to withstand the wind. Below the lookout, as at all stations is a snug cabin for the watcher, where he does his sleeping and eating. Water is hauled to the top by trucks and stored in large cans. The Yainax lookout has a good spring about a quarter of a mile down the peak also. The top of the peak is so dry that it acts as insulation and phone connections were very difficult until they grounded out the wires in the spring. Now the service is almost as clear as town connections." (Herald and News)
August 22, 1947: "Old Man Winter gave a preview of coming events at Yainax butte with four inches of snow this morning and two inches at Shake butte, following two or three hours of hard rain during the night." (Herald and News)
1947: New shake siding was applied to the exterior of the living quarters.
June 24, 1948: "Fire was reported on Indian service territory Wednesday near Squaw flat but was said to be under control Thursday morning.
Klamath Forest Protective association lookout at Yainax butte noted the fire at 3:30 p.m. and reported to KFPA. An Indian service lookout also sighted it from Calamas butte. Extent of the damage, if any, has not been reported to KFPA." (Herald and News)
Klamath Forest Protective association lookout at Yainax butte noted the fire at 3:30 p.m. and reported to KFPA. An Indian service lookout also sighted it from Calamas butte. Extent of the damage, if any, has not been reported to KFPA." (Herald and News)
October 29, 1948: "Snowbound on a forest fire lookout station is the temporary situation of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Savage who manned the Yainax butte station this summer.
With the sudden snow storm which started Thursday night, continued most of the night and into Friday morning, all fire lookouts in the Klamath Forest Protective area have been called down. Six inches of snow on the Yainax butte is holding the Savages on their station.
Hal Ogle, KFPA superintendent, said if the storm should continue to pile up snow on the butte a snowcat would be sent up to bring the lookout and his wife down; however, if the storm continues abated it will be possible to bring them down by truck later Friday or Saturday." (Herald and News)
With the sudden snow storm which started Thursday night, continued most of the night and into Friday morning, all fire lookouts in the Klamath Forest Protective area have been called down. Six inches of snow on the Yainax butte is holding the Savages on their station.
Hal Ogle, KFPA superintendent, said if the storm should continue to pile up snow on the butte a snowcat would be sent up to bring the lookout and his wife down; however, if the storm continues abated it will be possible to bring them down by truck later Friday or Saturday." (Herald and News)
1948: The living quarters were remodeled with the use of new plywood on the walls and ceiling, and left with the natural finish.
October 30, 1950: "Gene Hayes, OTI graduate and Yainax butte lookout this summer, is visiting his parents at his home in Eastern Oregon." (Herald and News)
May 28, 1951: "Two more KFPA lookouts climbed atop their perches on their respective mountains today.
Harry 'Yainax" Savage moved onto Yainax Butte, near Bly." (Herald and News)
July 1, 1953: This station was established as a weather station for the National Climatic Data Center.
1957: The floor in the living quarters was replaced with 134 square feet of 4 inch tongue and groove.
1962: Propane replaced the use of kerosene as the fuel for cooking and lights in the living quarters.
1965: A new shingle roof was installed on the ground cabin.
1966: A new floor was installed in the tower and painted.
1969: New windows were installed in the tower and the floor painted.
1973: "Three fires were reported from this station. Yainax Butte Lookout ground cabin received a thorough cleaning and painting of the interior. Also a new linoleum floor covering was installed. Both the cabin and the lookout tower are so weathered that not much remains. A new facility will need to be constructed in the near future. (KFPA Annual Report)
1979: The lookout was discontinued.
1981: 43 CFR Public Land Order
"This order revokes an Executive Order which, withdrew 40 acres of public land as a lookout station. This order will restore the land to operation of the public land laws generally, including the mining laws."
April 18, 1986: "For your information, state's lookout tower and radio equipment at the site are there without a written agreement. If this is acceptable to BLM it is acceptable to us. However, if the BLM wants a written agreement at some point, they should submit one to you and you can send it to Rod Workman in Property Control for processing." (Memorandum from State Forest Management to Klamath-Lake District)
STATION DESCRIPTION
DESCRIBED BY US FOREST SERVICE 1935 (NS)
THIS UNCHECKED POINT IS THE CENTER OF THE KLAMATH FOREST PROTECTIVE
ASSOCIATION STEEL TOWER ON THE HIGHEST PART OF YAINAX BUTTE,
WHICH IS ABOUT 200 FEET NORTHWESTERLY FROM THE COAST AND GEODETIC
SURVEY STATION MARK YONNA. THE TOWER WAS BUILT IN 1931.
REPORTED IN GOOD CONDITION IN THE FALL OF 1935 BY U.S.F.S.