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FAQs

About Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District (FPD):

Beckwourth Peak FPD provides service to Eastern Plumas County to areas previously served by the City of Portola, Beckwourth Fire Protection District, Gold Mountain Community Services District (CSD), the Sierra Valley Fire Protection District, and Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District. The Beckwourth Peak FPD also provides service to areas within the boundaries of the new district that were not previously in a fire protection district. The Beckwourth Peak FPD also covers, through contracts, portions of Highway 395 and the Hallelujah Junction area.

  • Beckwourth Peak FPD is an “all risk” department, responding to fires, medical distress calls, vehicle accidents, hazardous material spills and other calls received.
  •  An elected five member Board of Directors manages the Beckwourth Peak FPD.
  • The Beckwourth Peak FPD has established a consistent, long-term community-based and locally controlled revenue source to support the sustainable delivery of provided services.

Is My Property Within The Proposed New Fire Protection District Boundary? 

  • The Beckwourth Peak FPD covers 489 square miles running from the eastern boundary of Plumas County west to just east of C-Road. Property owners can review the new district boundaries on the District Map. Within these boundaries, except for Federally owned parcels, Beckwourth Peak FPD is considered the primary local responder.

Steps Taken to Form Beckwourth Peak FPD

  • Each existing partner agency requested the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) complete proceedings for reorganization to include a new fire protection district and adopted a Resolution of Application.
  • Plumas LAFCo held a hearing to adopt a resolution requesting the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to call an election and place a measure on the November 7, 2023 ballot. 
  • The Board of Supervisors called a District Election.
  • Registered voters residing within the new Beckwourth Peak FPD boundary approved two related measures:
    • Measure E - Forming a fire protection district.
    • Measure F - Establishing a new special fire parcel tax.
    • Note: A third measure - Election of a five-member board of directors, was not required as only five qualified candidates submitted applications for board positions.
  • To form the Beckwourth Peak FPD required two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast by registered voters to be in favor of the new special tax. Official voter results passed both ballot measures establishing Beckwourth Peak FPD.

How Will Beckwourth Peak FPD be Funded?

  • Property Tax Sharing: Beckwourth Peak FPD executed a Tax Exchange Agreement with Plumas County to receive a portion of the property taxes currently collected on the tax roll, at no additional cost to property owners, to fund the Beckwourth Peak FPD.
  • New Special Tax: On November 7, 2023, the voters approved a new annual special tax, based on land use types, for parcels located within the Beckwourth Peak FPD boundary. All existing special taxes and assessments used to fund community fire protection, medical, and rescue services by the City of Portola and Beckwourth Fire Protection District to no longer be levied. Gold Mountain CSD will retain all their Special Tax currently assessed. No such taxes are currently levied within Sierra Valley Fire FPD.
  •  Since establishment, Beckwourth Peak FPD continually pursues fundraising, donations, and grants to contribute to its operations budget.

Annexation Of Eastern Plumas Rural Fire Protection District (EPRFPD)

  • June 2023 – during a board meeting, the EPRFPD directors determined that the district was no longer able to provide services due to lack of staffing and revenue. The Board voted unanimously to suspend services within their service boundaries. Beckwourth FPD and Graeagle FPD stepped in to provide services on a temporary basis.
  • January 2024 – The EPRFPD board of directors unanimously voted to pursue annexation with Beckwourth Peak FPD.
  • December 2024
    • EPRFPD and Beckwourth Peak FPD coordinated the annexation process with Plumas LAFCo and the Plumas County Board of Supervisors.
    • LAFCo held a Public Hearing on December 23, 2024, at the EPRFPD Delleker fire station.
  • December 2024 – EPRFPD annexed to Beckwourth Peak FPD with all services to be provided by Beckwourth Peak FPD. Graeagle FPD informally assumed fire and medical services for the C-Road area which falls outside the new Beckwourth Peak FPD boundaries.
  • The annexation provides that all Special Taxes or fees formerly assessed by EPRFPD be rescinded and the Beckwourth Peak FPD Special Tax be instituted for all parcels within the former EPRFPD service area. Parcels informally covered by EPRFPD (and not charged for services) are included within the Beckwourth Peak FPD boundaries and are subject to the Beckwourth Peak FPD Special Tax.