The winter snow kept the wild fire danger to a minimum, but now that the snow is almost all gone the grasslands are particularly dry and flammable. The fact that the ground is damp or even still frozen in some places can be very deceptive. The level of the area’s lakes and ponds seem to have remained low and all the signs are there for another dry summer. This will make it difficult for our fire fighters to obtain water in the event of a fire.
The snow plough mounted on one of the one ton trucks served the department well during the snow season – the parking lots at both fire halls and the community hall were kept cleared and the access roads to the lake kept open to provide quick access to lake water. Several practices were conducted on the ice so that the fire fighters would be familiar with pumping water even in the coldest days of winter. The plough is now in storage until next winter and the crew is in the process of improving the suspension on that truck so that it will safely carry the 250 gallon water tank for initial, rapid response to any remote or off-road fires. The second one ton truck came with sufficient over-load suspension to carry its tank and is ready to go.
Prior to the last fire season the department was able to purchase a used engine truck with excellent pumping capability to match that of the earlier pumper donated by the City of Coquitlam. These two trucks do an excellent job of directing water at the fire scene, but the problem is getting the water to the pumpers. Most properties in this fire district are close to the lakeshore, but seldom close enough in the event of a fire. The two aging tenders do their best to transport water, but they are becoming expensive to maintain. Through the financial assistance of a BC Lotteries gaming grant, a very generous donation by the department’s Auxiliary and a $5000 grant from the CRD the department was recently able to purchase a newer tender. This truck, a 2006 Freightliner with a 1700 gallon capacity, can be filled, emptied into a portable holding pond, and make the return trip much more quickly than the older tenders.
With the exception of the 70 Mile store fire and a major shed fire, the past year has been fairly quiet for the department. For the first time there was an equal number of fire and medical aid 911 dispatches with 14 each. There were a couple of fires at the Watch Lake Dump, but primarily the firefighters responded to call-outs ranging from motor vehicle accidents and chimney fires to out-of-control grass fires.
Every year at this time fire departments throughout our area respond to out-of-control grass fires that started out as a simple spring burn-off or small rubbish fire. Be very careful with the spring clean-up on your property. As of Easter Sunday there have been two grass fires on the north side already this season. Fortunately, there was little wind and the department was on the scene quickly. Had it been windy, these same fires could have had devastating results for the community. There is a good possibility that there could be a total burning ban imposed early this year. Check regulations, venting and bans before you burn.
Roy Allan – Board President
