The Lake Country fire department has a new tool in its arsenal to combat fires this season.

害羞草研究所淲e purchased, through the help of a donation from a resident along Nighthawk Road, a large sprinkler unit. His home was one of the houses impacted by the fire,害羞草研究所� said fire chief Steve Windsor. 害羞草研究所淚t gives us the ability to set up a defendable zone between the interface and homes, so it害羞草研究所檚 only good where there are fire hydrants.害羞草研究所�

The $35,000 sprinkler will help in the event of a fire where crews have time to set it up and leave it to protect homes, but it wouldn害羞草研究所檛 stop a wildfire the size of the one that destroyed eight homes on Nighthawk Road.

害羞草研究所淭he fire came through there so quickly害羞草研究所� there was no time,害羞草研究所� said Windsor.

About 14 fire engines and eight aircraft with tenders, boats and bush trucks battled the blaze that sparked in July, he said.

害羞草研究所淲hen you get that high temperature and that steep slope with the wind behind you, there害羞草研究所檚 pretty much no stopping it,害羞草研究所� said Windsor. 害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e hoping that we don害羞草研究所檛 have to use it, but in a situation, if we need to, we害羞草研究所檝e got one.害羞草研究所�

The wildfire was deemed an arson. Windsor said the department is doing its usual preparation of equipment for the oncoming fire season.

The fire department currently has six full-time employees with 55 paid-on-call employees.

Next week is Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada, from May 6 to 12. Books are available on location at Lake Country害羞草研究所檚 fire halls which offer FireSmart tips.

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carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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