Historic Properties Destroyed in 2015 Butte Fire

In November of 2015, Julia Costello and Judith Marvin of Foothill Resources, and Gerrit Fenenga, CAL FIRE Senior State Archaeologist, identified over two dozen archaeological sites along roads within areas burned by the recent Butte Fire. With a limited budget, they selected nine sites to be recorded prior to post-fire clean-up activities and tasked the ASC with recording the sites and completing site records, with Foothill Resources providing historical research on affected properties and logistical support. CAL FIRE archaeologists Gerrit Fenenga and Mike McGuirt joined in recording efforts, along with a number of volunteers: Linda Thorpe, Pat McGreevy, Jan Bray, and Paula and Bob Leitzell.

Fieldwork took place from the 14th to the 17th of December 2015. Documentary research and interviews by Foothill Resources were conducted from November 2015 to March 2016. Site record forms and report writing was completed by the ASC and Foothill Resources during January to March 2016.