Firebaugh 5.05

Firebaugh is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 7,549 at the 2010 census, up from 5,743 as of the 2000 census. The ZIP Code for the community is 93622 and the city is located inside area code 559. Firebaugh is located on the west side of the San Joaquin River 38mi west of Fresno, at an elevation of 151 feet . Inside the city, a small commercial district includes the ubiquitous California Central Valley water tank painted with the city's name. State Route 33 runs through downtown just west of center. The San Joaquin Valley Railroad, West Side Subdivision, passes through downtown.Outside of city, the area is almost entirely agricultural land in all directions. Most fields of irrigated row crops along SR33 are feed crops such as alfalfa.HistoryThe city is named for Andrew D. Firebaugh (also spelled Fierbaugh), an area entrepreneur. During the Gold Rush, Firebaugh's most famous local enterprise was a ferry boat. It shuttled people across the San Joaquin River. He also built a toll road from Bell Station to Pacheco Pass. The toll road went along a route parallel to present-day State Route 152.