The late Jim Sinnott wrote several historical books about the communities of Sierra County. The history of Downieville includes several disastrous fires during the early years of its existence. The first widely destructive fire was on February 19, 1852. Rebuilding the town focused on reducing future danger and the narrow streets were made 40’ wider.
After the 1852 fire the Downieville Hook and Ladder Company was formed to “guard against fire in the future” the merchants and others raised $500 to purchase hooks and ladders. Then in January 1858 another even more disastrous fire destroyed many buildings and the bridge to Jersey Flat due to the lack of adequate means of fighting the fire.
In 1860 a regular Downieville Volunteer Fire Department also known as the DVFD was established with two hose companies, Mountain Torrent No.1 and Cataract Hose Company No. 2. They held an Annual Ball and raised money to purchase fire fighting apparatus. In the 1862 4th of July parade 67 members of DVFD Companies 1 and 2 proudly marched.
The Downieville Fire Protection District was established by the Sierra County Board of Supervisors under the Fire Protection District Law of 1987, sections 13800 et.Seq. of the State of California Health and Safety Law.
Downieville Fire Protection District is the government agency responsible for the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department, Downieville Ambulance and the financial oversight for the district taxes. The Downieville Fire Association are the men and women who volunteer with the DVFD and are completely separate non profit able to hold fundraising events to assist with necessary gear and equipment beyond the disrict limited funds from tax collections. The Downieville Fire Auxiliary also and they support and assist the DVFD in many ways.
Today, in 2018, the population in all of Sierra County (3,400) is less than the 5,000 living in Downieville alone in the 1800’s, and the DVFD is still going strong.
A roster of thirty Firefighters, EMTs, EMRs, Dispatchers and Auxiliary personnel now continue the community volunteer spirit of DVFD along with mutual aid agreements with surrounding fire districts in Sierra County and neighboring Yuba, Nevada and Plumas counties.