In 1935, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for the establishment of Civilian Conservation Corp camps (CCC) throughout the county, including one at the upper end of the Willow Creek Valley, between Susanville and Eagle Lake. The resolution stated would have “great value” to protect the timber. In addition, the men employed could aid the region with soil erosion and related issues. The resolution was sent to M.B. Pratt, forester for the California State Division of Forestry. Pratt informed the board it could not assist with CCC camps at that time, due to Congress failure to pass a funding bill.
The Lassen County Board of Supervisors were persistent in their efforts to have fire camps established. In July 1937, State Ranger J.W. Nevius announced the established of four fire camps for Lassen County. One was for Willow Creek Valley and it was agreed the county would donate 2.5 acres to the State Division of Forestry that included the former home of C.E. Hurlbut. The initial Willow Creek workforce consisted of Charles Windamier, foreman, Harry Fox, cook, and crew members John Patten, Max Reedy, George Ross and Arthur Dixon. John Webb who worked there in 1945 recalled, “My first assignment was at the Willow Creek CDF camp. I recall there was one permanent building used as a office and mess hall. Sleeping quarters were in tents erected on wooden platforms.”
In 1948, a fire station was established further north near Grasshopper Valley and the Willow Creek camp was subsequently closed. In 1974, the state donated this parcel to Lassen Community College.