Fire funding

Fire stations in Stirling City, Jarbo Gap and Berry Creek will remain open this winter, but the fate of another station is dependent on the city of Chico’s willingness to pay for it.

That was the decision made by the Butte County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting Tuesday (April 25). The Matrix Consulting Group, which analyzed issues with fire funding for the county, recommended all of the stations in question close for the winter. Matrix also reported roughly 80 percent of calls answered by Cal Fire-Butte County Station 42—which is located in north Chico—are for service within city limits.

The county is asking Chico to fund Station 42. The city, however, has its own fire woes, and in March cut Chico Fire Department staffing from 17 to 14, and closed two stations.