SUTTER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Sutter County has begun rotating temporary closures between two fire stations as staffing shortages leave the county fire department operating with critically low personnel levels.

The county temporarily browned out Oswald Station 8, located at 1280 Barry Road in Yuba City, beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 25. Under the county’s plan, the brownout will rotate every 48 hours between Oswald Station 8 and Sutter Station 6, located at 2340 California St. in Sutter, until staffing levels improve.

A “brownout” is a temporary reduction or suspension of service at a fire station, typically caused by staffing or operational limitations. Sutter County officials said the measure is being used as a last resort to ensure firefighters can operate safely while emergency response coverage continues through other available stations and neighboring agencies.

The Sutter County Fire Department currently has four vacant fire engineer positions across its three stations, according to the county. Five additional department employees are also on leave, leaving staffing levels critically low.

“We recognize the importance of maintaining reliable emergency response coverage throughout Sutter County,” Sutter County Fire Chief Kyle Long said. “We have a plan in place to address current staffing challenges.”

Long said the county is actively recruiting additional employees and has expedited its interview and hiring process in an effort to restore staffing to levels that will allow all stations to operate safely. While one of the two stations is browned out, other Sutter County fire stations will provide primary emergency response coverage. The Yuba City Fire Department and surrounding agencies will also provide assistance when available.

County officials said rotating the closure between Oswald and Sutter stations is intended to minimize the impact on rural residents while maintaining the highest level of coverage possible under current staffing conditions.

The county did not provide an estimated date for when all stations are expected to resume normal operations, saying the rotating brownouts will continue until staffing levels allow the department to safely operate all stations.

Sutter County thanked neighboring emergency response agencies and residents for their cooperation while the department works to fill vacancies and restore normal staffing.