Rural California Homeowners Could Pay Fee For Fire Prevention
(KCBS) --- Californians who receive their primary fire protection from Cal Fire may soon have to start paying extra for the service.
Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 29 to generate revenue for the state as part of the state budget deal June 30.
The bill calls for a $150 yearly fee, which would apply to more than 800,000 property owners statewide and could result in another $200 million to state coffers.
KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:
"Over the past decade we have seen an increase in fire activity," said Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlan. "We have more fires, larger fires, and a lot of that has to do with a changing climate."
The homeowners affected would be those who live in what's called State Responsibility Areas, which are mostly rural.
Some homeowners are expected to fight the fee, saying that they already pay property tax.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
