SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — On Tuesday, San Bernardino County voters will determine whether to keep a special tax for fire services. The tax generates $46.5 million annually for fire protection and medical services that the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District provides, but a group of residents have filed an appeal saying they never approved this tax in the first place. 

Now, it’s on the ballot for the March 5 Primary Election as Measure W. A “yes” vote will remove the special tax for those who own land within the fire protection jurisdiction. A “no” vote will keep it as is. 

Without it, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District says it will have to close fire stations, which will cause longer response times.