Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
When COVID-19 Hit, Firebaugh United to Squash It
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
May 28, 2020

Share

In early April, Firebaugh was a COVID-19 hot spot for positive cases and deaths.

Now the west-side farming town of 8,300 people is being cited by Fresno County health officials as a success story.

 “We’re gonna continue what we’re doing. We want to keep our numbers down and we don’t want to see a spike.” — Firebaugh Police Chief Sal Raygoza 

How is Firebaugh flattening the virus?

With teamwork that would make hometown hero and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen proud.

Communication, education, testing, social-distancing, free masks, and buy-in from businesses are playing major roles, too.

“Firebaugh was one of our very early clusters of a lot of cases including fatalities,” says Dr. Rais Voha, the interim health officer for Fresno County. “More recently, they’ve done really well at controlling their numbers. So that’s one example of a success story.”

Initial Surge, Initial Steps

Firebaugh went from zero to 15 cases in a matter of days early in the pandemic.

“Everybody, in the beginning, was reeling and didn’t know what to do, didn’t know about social distancing,” says Freddy Valdez, the city’s mayor pro tem.

Stakeholders made keeping people healthy their No. 1 priority. Everyone — including police, fire, and school leaders — united to work through the unknowns confronting Firebaugh.

City officials launched an educational campaign about the importance of social distancing, wearing masks, and not gathering in large groups.

Testing ramped up, and the city gave more than 1,000 masks to residents. One lady in town made masks and sold them for just $3.

And, Valdez posted a video from his kitchen on April 8 to underscore steps being taken to combat the virus.

Closures and Shorter Business Hours

“We shut down all the parks. Our rental halls were shut down. We also limited the amount of hours our businesses were open,” says Valdez.

Sal Raygoza, the police chief and director of emergency services, took decisive action after the initial surge in cases.

Raygoza, who has lived in Firebaugh for 25 years, has been with the department for 14 years and is a trustee for West Hills Community College District. Thus, he knows his city inside and out.

Police chief Sal Raygoza also assigned one of his officers to COVID-19 duty to ensure that businesses complied with the chief’s orders.

“I started controlling what time the stores were able to open and close. I only allowed open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.,” Raygoza says. “Another thing that I did was (make it) mandatory to wear a mask in all the stores. All the employees had to wear a mask.”

Raygoza also assigned one of his officers to COVID-19 duty to ensure that businesses complied with the chief’s orders. All stores had to present their sanitation protocols to the COVID-19 officer for approval.

On Thursday, during an interview with GV Wire, Raygoza received reports of stores relaxing the mask requirement. The chief dispatched the COVID-19 officer to remind businesses that masks are “still required” even though Gov. Gavin Newsom is opening up the economy throughout California.

No New COVID Cases for Weeks

As of Wednesday, Firebaugh had its first COVID-19 case in nearly a month, raising its total to 23.

“But we held, I want to say, three to four weeks at 22,” Valdez says. “I believe we only have three active cases right now.”

Valdez believes that educating residents on why things were being done, rather than handing down rigid rules, is helping control the virus.

“It’s not like we’re doing something magical that no one else is doing,” Valdez says.  “I just think that we’re enforcing it a lot more positively, and we’re getting community buy-in. We all are in this together.”

Early Reopenings for Barbershops, Hair Salons

Because of the cooperation of residents and business owners, the city’s barbershops and hair salons opened ahead of others in California.

“It was successful,” Valdez says. “We did it for a few days just to see if they were capable.”

Annual Harvest Festival

Valdez holds out hope that Firebaugh can still hold its annual harvest festival. The town’s economy revolves around growing and packing cantaloupes, honeydews, tomatoes, and garlic.

The festival normally takes place in July. These are not normal times.

“Maybe in September,” Valdez says. “So, as a council, we didn’t want to really shut the door on that yet.”

‘Success Story’ Label

How does Raygoza, the police chief, feel about Firebaugh receiving praise for its handling of the coronavirus?

“If they’re using as an example, I think that’s good that they’re doing that. But I think we’re just doing what’s right for our community. Every community is different.

“We’re gonna continue what we’re doing. We want to keep our numbers down and we don’t want to see a spike.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Lambasts Trump for Giving Immigrants’ Health Data to Deportation Officials

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

6 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

7 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

U.S. immigration officials on Tuesday walked back limits on enforcement targeting farms, restaurants, hotels and food processing plants just...

6 hours ago

6 hours ago

‘Who’s Running the White House?’ Trump Brings Back ICE Raids on Farms, Restaurants

6 hours ago

Granite Park Eviction Lawsuit Heads Toward Trial

Mark Kismet, 50, who is considered at-risk went missing on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Clovis near Harlan Ranch is still missing according to the Clovis Police Department on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Clovis PD)
6 hours ago

Missing Clovis Man Found Dead. No Foul Play Suspected

Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson announced he will retire on November 24, 2025, ending a nearly 30-year career and prompting the county to consider options for his replacement. (Kings County SO)
6 hours ago

Kings County Sheriff Announces Retirement After Nearly 30 Years in Law Enforcement

7 hours ago

General Mills to Remove Artificial Colors From All Its US Cereals and Foods

7 hours ago

US FDA to Shorten Review Time for Drug Developers Under New Voucher Program

7 hours ago

Physician Warns Fresno County Supervisors About Jail’s Medical Provider, Private Equity Co.

7 hours ago

Houthi Official Says Group Will Intervene to Support Iran Against Israel

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend