OROVILLE — After two comparatively mild fire seasons, concerns are arising that this year could potentially bring more aggressive wildfires as seen previously in Butte County.
The Butte County Fire Department, which is contracted through Cal Fire-Butte County, was given approval by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to enter into an agreement with PG&E to use a wildfire suppression helicopter when needed. The helicopter itself is contracted between PG&E and PJ Helicopters out of Red Bluff.
Butte County Fire Chief Garrett Sjolund said, if deployed, PG&E would cover the costs of the first two flight hours without a charge to the county, but after that, the cost comes out to $9,500 per hour. The terms of the agreement stipulate that the helicopter cannot exceed 40 flight hours.
The agreement will be in place between July 1 and Oct. 31, 2034.
“I think everyone’s fairly aware of our challenging wildfire situation here in Butte County,” Sjolund said. “And to help with that are our initial attack air and ground resources that we use to suppress those fires and in particular helicopters play a vital role in slowing or suppressing wildland fires.”
In his presentation, Sjolund noted that PG&E will provide the pilots and mechanical support at no additional costs.
“This is a similar agreement PG&E had with Marin County this past summer that was successful, and they are seeking other agreements across the state of California,” Sjolund said.
The model is a Sikorsky UH-60A which contains a 1,000-gallon water tank. It will be stationed at the Chico Regional Airport and dispatched through the Butte County Fire Department. The department will be able to use the helicopter throughout the county service area but not outside of the county and not via requests from federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service.
Logistical support and helicopter management will be provided by the Butte County Fire Department, Sjolund said.
During the discussion following the presentation, Supervisor Bill Connelly asked if the county would have to bear any responsibility should the helicopter crash.
“We worked closely with Chief Sjolund’s office and our own risk manager to address any liability concerns,” said County Counsel Brad Stephens. “Each party of the agreement is responsible for their own negligence so if there is negligence that led to a helicopter crash I don’t see the county being the negligent party there, so the risk is minimal.”
Given the 2018 Camp Fire was ultimately determined to have been caused by faulty PG&E equipment, some concerns were raised about the logistics if that were to happen again. Supervisor Tami Ritter asked if the department would still be charged the $9,500 per hour to use the helicopter if the fire was caused by PG&E equipment.
“According to this agreement, if the fire is in the local response area then yes, we would need to provide that reimbursement through the funding sources of the Butte County Fire Department,” Sjolund said. “If it’s not, and it’s in the state responsibility area then it would be charged to the state of California.”
Sjolund said based on the projected wildfire season this year that he believes there will be a need for additional air support.
The board unanimously entered into the agreement.
Other business
Aside from the agreement with PG&E, the board weighed in on the following items:
• The board and Chief Administrative Officer Andy Pickett agreed to set a budget hearing date for June 25 at 1 p.m. to discuss the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. The meeting will be held at the Butte County board chambers located at 25 County Center Drive, Suite 205 in Oroville, California.
• Though not on the ballot yet, a step was taken to eventually go forward with a 1% tax measure county-wide to help pay for county services. The next hearing is set for the June 25 meeting.
• Butte County Water And Resource Conservation Director Kamie Loeser gave the annual groundwater status presentation for the 2023 water year.
• The county entered into a contract with the Northwest Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for sheltering and impound services through June 30, 2027 at a total cost of around $2.2 million.
• Five hearings were held to determine whether to enforce liens on properties deemed to be public nuisances.
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