Auberry Volunteer Fire Department faces funding crisis

AUBERRY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Auberry Volunteer Fire Department is facing financial challenges as Fresno County officials work to keep its doors open. 

The volunteer-based fire department, with 14 volunteers currently, receives its funds from the CSA, Community Service Area. 

Chief Rick Moore with the Auberry Volunteer Fire Department said the station is running out of funds. 

“We’re currently working off of a budget that was established in 2003 when the CSA, the Community Service Area, was established,” Moore said. 

Moore said the department safeguards their local community from one neighbor to another. 

He said volunteers dedicate their time to serving their own friends and families in the area. 

“Our motto for our department is neighbors helping neighbors, because literally our people are our volunteers from the community,” Moore said. 

Moore added that the initial budget created 20 years ago has the station struggling to keep up with the costs of equipment and fuel. 

“The original 2003 agreement was approximately $72 per household, and like I say, that was in 2003 and now here we are in 2025 and things have gone up a bit,” Moore said. 

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig said the county is working closely with Chief Moore to avoid closure. 

“It is important that we have as many resources to fight fire in the foothill and mountain areas,” Magsig said. 

Magsig said volunteer fire departments are critical for the Foothill and Mountain areas for responding quickly to fires and other incidents. 

“A lot of these fire stations are responding to calls for service, medical calls, automobile accidents,” Magsig said. 

Magsig said keeping the doors open is pivotal for the safety of foothills and mountain residents. 

“Making sure that they remain open, and they can provide the level of service necessary to residents is paramount as far as I’m concerned,” Magsig said. 

The Auberry Volunteer Fire Department will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, April 29, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Foothill Elementary School to discuss the future of the station.