Guemes
Island has approximately 500 year round residents, with that number
about doubling from mid spring through mid fall. During the summer,
warm weather can bring in several thousand vacation residents. The
island is approximately 5 miles east and west by 3 miles north and
south. Recent upgrades to vacation housing has contributed greatly to
reducing fire risks, but in many areas houses are on narrow lots
creating the potential for the involvement of multiple structures
anytime a fire occurs. The island is also heavily wooded making the
risk of wildland fires and wildland/urban interface fires a significant
issue during the warm, dry days of summer. The departments fire suppression apparatus includes a 2005 Pierce Pumper, a 1982 Ford 8000 pumper, a 1977 Peterbuilt 2000 gallon tender, and a 1991 Ford F350 brush fire and support unit. Over the past 20 years, water supply hydrants and standpipes have been installed and upgraded at numerous locations around the island ensuring sufficient water for suppression efforts is always close at hand. By using a port-a-tank and shuttling water with our tender we are able maintain a constant water supply at fire scenes. |
Fire Suppression |