As I write this, the Biscar Fire in eastern Lassen County is now approaching 70,000 acres. Unfortunately, the maps published lack descriptive features. It has been stated the fire started in the area of Snowstorm Road and Vincent Canyon in the Biscar Reservoir area.
The name is attributed to Pierre “Pete” Biscar who was born on January 28, 1881 at St. Etienne de Baigory, France. He arrived in the United States in1901 at New York City and in 1904 came to Secret Valley, Lassen County. In 1909, he constructed the first reservoir at the mouth of Snowstorm Canyon. In 1915, it was washed out by a flood and subsequently rebuilt*.
Biscar had hit hard times in the 1930s. He was arrested on a cattle rustling charge and served time in the Lassen County Jail. In 1937, he lost his property to a county delinquent tax sale. He eventually moved to Susanville and lived in one of Frenchy’s cabins on the Susan River across from Paulsen’s Welding. He died on February 2, 1947, a pauper. He is buried in the Lassen Cemetery, his grave does not have a marker. At the time of his death, he was survived by a cousin J.P. Insarquarat of Stockton, California
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*Today, there are two small reservoirs that are part of the 548-acre Biscar Wildlife Area.