In one of California’s most fire-prone regions, these voters just said no to more firefighters

They live in one of the state’s most fire-prone regions, yet voters in rural El Dorado County this week soundly rejected a parcel tax measure that would have paid for more local firefighters.

Of the 12,655 voters who cast their ballots, 62 percent voted “no” for Measure B, which would have levied a $96 a year parcel tax on property owners.

The $2.6 million generated annually would have gone to fund additional firefighting positions in the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, which serves communities such as Apple Hill, Coloma, Placerville, Pollock Pines and Shingle Springs.

A local taxpayer group in the heavily conservative region opposed the measure, saying it lacked safeguards to ensure the money would go where it was intended.

The El Dorado County Fire Protection District serves one of the state’s most fire-prone regions, where a major wildfire could devastate communities.

Cal Fire hazard maps rank its fire risk on par with Paradise, where the state’s most destructive wildfire killed 86 people last November.

Fires ignite in the area every summer and fall.

In 2014, the Sand Fire burned 4,200 acres, 20 homes and came dangerously close to forcing a major evacuation in Pollock Pines and surrounding communities.

This story was originally published August 30, 2019 at 10:21 AM.