Weaverville Sawmill Rises from the Ashes

The Trinity River Lumber Mill that burned down late last year is reopening.

The ribbon cutting and open house for the new saw mill saw 200 people along with State Senator Doug LaMalfa.

“I’m very excited and happy to be here, to see the reopening of this to rise from the ashes. This means so much to this community this county here,” said LaMalfa

The main building of the Trinity River Lumber Company was destroyed by fire on September 12, 2009. The fire, which saw volunteer firefighters from Weaverville, Douglas city, Lewiston and Junction City, along with Cal Fire and two aerial tankers responding.

“Once we start two shifts we will be in the vicinity of about 120 employees,” said H.R. Manager, James Knight

Before the fire, the mill employed 130 people in two shifts and was the largest private employer in Trinity County.

“There are a lot of businesses that link up with the mill. There are truck drivers and people who service trucks. It just ripples through the economy when something like this happens,” said John Budman, who owns a business in downtown Weaverville.

With new equipment and technology, the new mill will be an improvement over the old facility.