Locals Flock to Tribal Gas Stations Amid High Fuel Prices

Oroville residents seek out Feather Falls Mini Mart for cheaper gas during U.S.-Israel war on Iran

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:05am

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An abstract illustration composed of overlapping triangles and circles in shades of blue, red, and yellow, conceptually representing the fluctuating prices and availability of gasoline in the local community.Tribal-owned gas stations offer a lifeline for local residents struggling with skyrocketing fuel costs during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.Chico Today

As gas prices remain above average since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began in late February, Oroville area residents have been flocking to Feather Falls Mini Mart, a tribal-owned gas station, to fill up their tanks for less expensive fuel compared to the regional average.

Why it matters

Tribal-owned gas stations in California have been able to offer lower fuel prices by being exempt from state fuel taxes during the ongoing war-related price spike, providing some relief to local residents struggling with the high cost of living.

The details

The cost for one gallon of regular gas on Friday at Feather Falls Mini Mart was $5.59, while the average cost in the Chico and Oroville area was $5.69. Oroville residents like LeAnn Brown and Steven Simmons said they make sure to stop at Feather Falls first to fill up their tanks, with Simmons noting he's paying about $15 more per tank compared to before the war. Michael Stanley, a traveling electrician, said he thinks the gas price increases are hurting Americans, especially seniors on tight budgets, and that heavy taxes in California are further burdening young people and businesses.

  • The U.S.-Israel war on Iran began in late February 2026.
  • Gas prices in Chico averaged $5.77 per gallon on April 17, 2026, about $1.07 higher than one year prior and $0.57 higher than in March 2026.

The players

LeAnn Brown

An Oroville resident who makes sure to fill up at Feather Falls Mini Mart first to get cheaper gas compared to other stations in the area.

Steven Simmons

An Oroville resident who regularly visits Feather Falls Mini Mart and is paying about $15 more per tank of gas compared to before the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.

Michael Stanley

A traveling electrician who drives a work vehicle and thinks the gas price increases are hurting Americans, especially seniors on tight budgets, and that heavy taxes in California are further burdening young people and businesses.

Feather Falls Mini Mart

A tribal-owned gas station in Oroville that has been able to offer lower fuel prices compared to the regional average by being exempt from state fuel taxes during the ongoing war-related price spike.

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What they’re saying

“I make sure that I stop by here first, because if I'm caught out running around or whatever, I don't want to go to other gas stations.”

— LeAnn Brown, Oroville resident

“With our government in California — we're gonna go $10 a gallon.”

— Michael Stanley, Traveling electrician

What’s next

Analysts will continue to monitor the impact of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran on gas prices in California, particularly the role of tribal-owned gas stations in providing some relief to local residents.

The takeaway

The price spike at the pump due to the ongoing U.S.-Israel war on Iran has disproportionately burdened California residents, but tribal-owned gas stations like Feather Falls Mini Mart have been able to offer some reprieve by being exempt from state fuel taxes, highlighting the importance of such community-based resources during times of economic hardship.