BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Bozeman Fire Department and Water Department are both asking for the public’s help as the snow continues to pile up.
They say fire hydrants across the city are getting completely buried.
Bozeman Water and Sewer Superintendent John Alston is working constantly to uncover the more-than 2,600 hydrants throughout Bozeman.
Some have even been uncovered more than once by backhoes that are also needed to clear parking lots.
Alston says anyone who can help by clearing a three-foot ring around nearby hydrants in their neighborhood can save valuable time that could help firefighters battle destructive flames and potentially save lives.
“It could be their house that’s on fire and the hydrant could be totally buried and the fire guys are going to waste valuable minutes trying to find that hydrant,” he said.
Alston says citizens are not required by law to clear hydrants — but the voluntary effort could go a long way in helping crews stay ahead of the snow.
He also adds that clearing hydrants could prevent damaging car crashes involving hidden obstacles.
Story by Cody Boyer, MTN News
