How Fire Risk Is Driving Out Residents and What We Can Do About It

In Tuolumne County, fire insurance is no longer optional. It determines whether people can stay in their homes, rebuild after loss, or sell when it is time to move on. And right now, more and more residents are being priced out not by the cost of land, but by the cost of protecting it.

What People Are Facing

If you live in the foothills or higher elevations of District Three, chances are you or someone you know has experienced this recently:

The insurance company dropped you
You were pushed into the California FAIR Plan at two or three times the cost
Your premium jumped without reason, despite never filing a claim
You were told your home would be hard to sell because buyers cannot get coverage

This is not a policy debate. It is already happening. It is affecting longtime residents, retirees on fixed incomes, working families, and new homeowners.

Why Fire Protection Matters to Insurance

Insurance companies do not just look at your personal history. They assess community level fire risk. That includes:

Distance to the nearest fire station
Staffing and emergency response times
Access to hydrants or water supply
Wildfire hazard ratings from CAL FIRE and ISO
Local investment in defensible space and mitigation

When we weaken fire coverage, we raise our community risk profile. Insurers respond by pulling out or raising rates.

How Defunding Station 56 Makes It Worse

A lightning storm sparked wildfires across Tuolumne County, destroying the historic town of Chinese Camp. Despite this happening Sept. 2, 2025, Supervisor Kirk, Griefer and Holland still voted to defund Mono Vista Station.

When the Board voted to defund Station 56 in Mono Vista, it was more than a staffing cut. It sent a signal that our county is less prepared to respond to fire.

That signal affects how insurers rate us.

Station 56 is one of our busiest and most centrally located fire stations. Removing it increases response times, reduces coverage, and contributes directly to policy cancellations and premium spikes

People are losing their insurance not because of fires in Tuolumne County, but because of how we are preparing for them.

This trend is avoidable. But only if we change course.

This Is Bigger Than One Station

The decision to cut Station 56 was damaging. But the bigger issue is that Tuolumne County does not have a clear fire protection strategy. We need a long term approach that includes:

Regional emergency coordination
Home hardening and fuel break investments
Public data to help lower our ISO risk rating
Stronger trust, communication and cooperation with CAL FIRE
Transparent dialogue with state officials and insurance regulators

Right now, we are reacting. What we need is real planning. Because what good is any savings if we all burn down?

What Local Leadership Can Do

If elected, here is how I would begin addressing this crisis:

1. Restore Station 56 and Rebuild CAL FIRE Relations
We cannot ask for better insurance coverage while cutting our own emergency response. Step one is restoring trust and capacity.

2. Collect Real Insurance Stories
We need to build a public story bank from residents who have lost coverage or been forced into the FAIR Plan. That data can be brought directly to the Department of Insurance and state legislators.

3. Launch a Home Fire Readiness Program
Let’s support defensible space, fire safe roofing, and home hardening. Then we work with CAL FIRE to make sure our progress is reflected in how insurers assess us.

4. Collaborate with Other Rural Counties
We are not alone. Counties across the Sierra are facing the same issues. We should be advocating together for better mitigation funding and FAIR Plan reform.

5. Push for Insurance Transparency
Residents deserve clear explanations for cancellations and rate hikes. We need stronger consumer protections and better accountability from providers.

This Is a Crisis but It Is Also an Opportunity

*A firefighter battles the fire burning through the Chinese Camp community of Tuolumne County, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)*

Tuolumne County has a choice. We can stick with what we got, sit on our hands and complain, we can wait for outside help, or we can lead with smart, proactive fire planning that earns back trust from CAL FIRE, the community at large, and maybe our insurance providers.

This is not just about one station. It is about keeping people in their homes, protecting our economy, and building a safer future for this community.

Let’s get to work.

Resources for Homeowners

Here’s the deal. In the wake of a fire station being defunded, let’s be informed. If you’re using the FAIR Plan, or have been dropped by your insurer, if you are struggling with skyrocketing premiums, you are not alone. Below are some tools and contacts that might help:

California Department of Insurance (CDI)

Website: www.insurance.ca.gov

File a complaint against your insurance provider
Find agents and brokers participating in wildfire zones
Learn about the FAIR Plan and other coverage options
Check eligibility for mitigation discounts

Consumer Hotline: 1‑800‑927‑HELP (4357)

(Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

California FAIR Plan

Website: www.cfpnet.com

Provides basic fire insurance for properties where traditional coverage is unavailable
FAIR Plan is not a complete homeowners policy. You will need additional coverage
Ask your broker how to layer supplemental policies with your FAIR Plan

Customer Support: 1‑800‑339‑4099

Safer From Wildfires
State-Endorsed Home Hardening Checklist

Website: www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/200-wrr

This site lists state-approved mitigation actions that could lower your insurance risk rating.

Examples include:

Installing ember-resistant vents
Replacing wood roofs with fire-resistant material
Creating defensible space around your home

Some insurers may offer discounts for completing these tasks.

Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services (OES)

Website: www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/oes

Access local defensible space programs
Stay informed about community fire prevention work
Sign up for emergency alerts
Check for upcoming hazard mitigation grant opportunities

Local Assistance from Nonprofits

Contact organizations like:

United Way of Northern California
May offer resources or refer you to emergency financial aid.
Website: www.norcalunitedway.org
Habitat for Humanity – Tuolumne County
May assist with home repairs or fire prevention retrofits.
Website: https://www.habitattuolumne.org

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So… Let’s Talk About Insurance