Officials with the Higgins Fire District are preparing the public for the closure of one of their three stations. The station, on Morning Sun Road, is scheduled to close at around the start of the new fiscal year, or July 1st, according to Public Information Officer Pete Marchinek. He says they’re hosting an event at the station on Saturday…

click to listen to Pete Marchinek

The closure was necessary, after property owners once again rejected a fire protection tax increase, Measure V, last summer…

click to listen to Pete Marchinek

The District is also laying off six full-time firefighters, or about half of its staff, this summer. Meanwhile, the McCourtney Road station will still have fire season staffing, thanks, in part, to CalFire. But Marchinek says that station will be closed during the off-season, with staff moving to the Combie Road station, the only one that will remain open year-round. Higgins officials will also be issuing burn permits and giving equipment presentations and demonstrations. The Morning Sun Road event is Saturday, from 11am to 2pm. Marchinek says there will also be a similar event at the McCourtney Road station on Saturday, April 2nd.