Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Burton Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) was in trouble after so much snow caused their emergency water access to become buried. The community of Burton has 16 standpipes from which to obtain water in the event of a fire within the area. On Sunday, Jan. 18 a work party was organized to unearth the water control valves which operate like fire hydrants and were buried under three feet of snow.
RDCK Area K Director Paul Peterson said, “It was deemed by management that clearing the snow from the standpipes was the responsibility of the fire department.”
Volunteer Fire Chief Brian Harrop put out the call on the Facebook Group, Burton B.C. community group on Thursday Jan. 15, saying “until we get them cleared we do not have access to a water supply to fight a fire.”
Thanks to Russ Bilinski and his skidsteer, ten volunteers with shovels were able to clear 12 of the 16 standpipes and one hydrant of snow.
“We had it all done in less than an hour, since two of our members, Brian and Scott Graham went in on Saturday and did a bunch of clearing ahead of time,” Harrop said.
Due to large quantities of snow, the snow plows working to clear roads were part of the problem. Harrop has also put in a request to the Yellowhead Road & Bridge management to do their best to keep the areas clear when they plow in future.