County can seek reimbursement for Bullards Fire

Yuba County is in position to be reimbursed for its costs to combat the Bullards Fire earlier this week and the final bill is being tallied.

In an emergency meeting Thursday, supervisors declared a local emergency for the fire, which started Friday in the canyon below Bullards Bar Dam before being contained Tuesday evening.

Scott Bryan, the county's emergency services officer, said there were costs incurred by the county, such as the Sheriff's Department, and from agencies who would then charge the county, such as the U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire.

He said bills from both are still being compiled, but firefighting costs, especially, could be high. Because the fire was fought mostly in rugged terrain, crews had to use tanker drops and airplanes for much of the effort.

"I can tell you there was a significant use of tankers," Bryan said. "And one tanker drop is $50,000."

The county's declaration allows it to receive reimbursement for such costs from the state, which declared a state of emergency in Yuba County over the weekend.

At the brief meeting, Supervisor John Nicoletti asked whether the private business running New Bullards Bar Reservoir, which was shut down during much of the fire, was eligible for compensation.

"We have not met the threshold for small business loans with a disaster," Bryan replied. "It's unfortunate. They did suffer losses last week."

After the meeting, Bryan said investigators still haven't determined what caused the fire, which scorched more than 1,300 acres but no structures. He said investigators believe the fire stemmed from unspecified man-made causes.

County Administrator Robert Bendorf said officials from Cal Fire and Tahoe-Plumas National Forest will make a presentation at an upcoming regular board meeting on how they fought the blaze.