EDITORIAL : VOTE `YES' ON PROP. E MEASURE WILL KEEP FIREFIGHTERS ON THE JOB AND LET FIRE STATIONS STAY OPEN.

FIRE protection is one of the key services people expect from local government, so we urge voters to pay special attention to Proposition E on the June 3 ballot in many areas of Los Angeles County.

The Daily News Editorial Board recommends a ``yes'' vote on Proposition E to continue current levels of fire protection and paramedic response, at no additional cost to the public.

If Proposition E fails to receive approval from a two-thirds majority on election day, the county firefighting budget will lose more than $51 million - forcing officials to close 20 fire stations, mothball dozens of fire engines, lay off hundreds of firefighters and cut the daily staffing levels at fire stations.

Proposition E will not increase taxpayers' out-of-pocket costs. It only authorizes the Fire Department to begin receiving money from a new revenue source as a replacement for funds that have dried up because of a change in the law.

That change occurred after state voters approved Proposition 218 in November, a ballot measure known as the Right to Vote on Taxes Act. Proposition 218 invalidated the current assessment paid by property owners at a cost of roughly $50 a year for a typical house.

To make up for that lost revenue, Proposition E will authorize a special tax that will cost homeowners no more than the current assessment - in fact, a couple of bucks less.

But the new tax must be approved by two-thirds of the voters. Otherwise, there will be cutbacks in the Fire Department.

Among the affected areas are the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, La Canada Flintridge, Lancaster, Palmdale and Santa Clarita. Also affected are many unincorporated areas near those cities, and Universal City, Agua Dulce, Castaic, Kagel Canyon, La Crescenta, Montrose, Quartz Hill, parts of Sylmar, parts of West Chatsworth and others.

We urge eligible voters to go to the polls and vote ``yes'' on Proposition E.