Governor Signs ABXI 29 - Fire Protection and Prevention Bill in SRA Areas

The current Assembly Bill XI 29 signed by Governor Brown proposes to charge landowners in SRA areas a $150.00 fire prevention fee. This proposal by Assembly member Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) claims a possible realization of a 50 million General Fund savings. The revenue is then to be allocated to Department of Forestry and CAL FIRE as well additional revenue from the General Find in the amount of 200 million.

After fees are collected from the Office of Finance, the State Controller and the Tax Collector, the estimated amount that CAL FIRE may realize could be much less than anticipated.

CAL FIRE Fire Captain Bruce Lodge stated that of the 119,953.45 acres that lie within the Copperopolis Fire Protection District, 112,725.36 are designated SRA, equaling 93.97% of CFPD acreage designated SRA. The remaining acreage for CFPD is Federal Responsibility Area (FRA) belonging to Bureau of Land Management (3,522.425 acres) and the Bureau of Reclamation (3,705.672 acres).

“By contractual agreement with the Federal agencies 100% of lands within the Copperopolis FPD are under the direct protection of CALFIRE, for the purpose of wildland fire protection.”

Recently SRA lines came under close scrutiny with urban development in many areas and more medical responses rising for CAL FIRE firefighting crews. “Under statute, the state is responsible for wildland fire protection in state responsibility areas. The state has no statutory obligation to provide structural fire protection or emergency medical response.”

The State Responsibility Area (SRA) within Calaveras County is 623, 621 acres. That is equal to 94.20% of the county. The town of San Andreas and the City of Angels Camp fall within the category of Local Responsibility Areas (LRA).

For full statement from Governor Brown regarding signature of the ABXI 29 click HERE.

Click HERE for current bill status.

By, Charity Maness