PROVO CANYON — If there's a fire in the Brickerhaven area of Sundance, firefighters figure they'll have only about 15 minutes' worth of water with which to fight it.
That's pretty scary, says one Utah County commissioner.
It's unacceptable, says Stewart Olsen, chairman of the North Fork Special Service District board. Through a contract with the county, the North Fork Fire Department is charged with providing fire suppression to canyon residents, even though Brickerhaven is not a member of the special service district.
"Our concern is, they (Brickerhaven residents) present a very serious threat to us. We are compelled to provide service to them when, even under the best of circumstances, the spring flow will not meet their needs," Olsen said at a recent commission meeting.
Olsen said the Brickerhaven development has a tank that won't hold water and a system that doesn't provide enough pressure for fighting fires.
He has asked the commission to help compel the Brickerhaven area to annex into the district so district officials can maintain a better system, but many residents have protested the possible annexation.
"It is a little scary," Commissioner Gary Herbert said. "Some of those cabins are very expensive, and even the older ones, because they're in the Sundance area, are pretty valuable property."
Herbert said there are conflicting reports about Brickerhaven's lines and tanks and water resources.
Richard Dean, representing the Brickerhaven Homeowners Association in an Oct. 29 meeting, said Fire Marshal Tom Wroe had not visited since roots had been removed from the collection boxes and adjustments made to the fire hydrants. He said the hydrants are all operational and one of the two storage tanks is fine.
Wroe said earlier he found hydrants that couldn't be turned on and substandard water lines in the area.
Wroe said maintenance has routinely been done poorly, and he found tanks that leaked a significant amount of water. He said Brickerhaven is obligated to provide at least a one-day supply of stored water and adequate fire flow.
"I view this as being a significant issue," Wroe said. "A significant fire presents a problem."
Wroe returned for an inspection in early November and again found problems.
Kent Sundberg, deputy county attorney for Utah County, said it could reach the point where the county declares cabins in the Brickerhaven area unoccupable.
"I think it's gotta be resolved before the next fire season," Commissioner David Gardner said. "I hate to see it get to the point where we have to step in and be heavy-handed. I'm hoping they can work it out."
Gardner said he understands Brickerhaven residents' desire to remain independent and not subject to the special service district fees, which could be significant.
"But inevitably, I think they'll become part of the district. It's just whether they want to be drug in kicking and screaming or not," he said.
Herbert said first everyone needs to agree on what the facts are and then determine what is the best solution.
"If there's a fire, do we all just stand around and roast marshmallows?" Gardner said. "This subdivision is set right at the bottom of the canyon. If there's a fire, it will spread upward."
The commissioners plan to discuss the issue further in the Nov. 26 regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the county administration building, Room 1400.
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