The summer of 2018 won’t easily be forgotten by Richmond Fire-Rescue, as one of the biggest fires in Richmond’s history tore through 12.3 hectares of the 55 hectare DND Lands, near Westminster Highway and Shell Road.
The fire was particularly difficult to extinguish as it was both hard to reach, and had gone into the peat. As a result, Richmond Fire-Rescue has invested in a Structural Protection Unit trailer to help provide wildfire protection in the event of a future blaze.
“With the Shell Road fire and the larger fire on the Ministry of Defence lands this past summer, the equipment in the SPU will meet the future needs of Richmond to contain and extinguish wildfire threats,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Gray in a press release.
“The SPU trailer is designed to help protect the city against its unique wildfire threat and can be deployed with Richmond Fire-Rescue staff throughout the Province during wildfire seasons.”
The trailer can offer wildfire protection for up to 30 homes, carries 16,000 feet of fire hose, 130 sprinklers, several pumps and water tanks. One of the main issues in fighting the DND fire this past summer was transporting gear to the site. However, this trailer enables equipment to be more portable.
In the event of a wildfire, the trailer would also be used to dampen roofs and areas around other structures to help prevent sparks and embers from igniting nearby buildings.
