LAYTON — The city will extend water service to a U.S. Forest Service dip tank as part of its efforts to combat wildfires in the Davis County foothills.
The extension is part of a $500,000 renovation of Fernwood Park, located south of the Layton "castle" just outside the city border. It will begin July 1 and is scheduled to be completed by October.
The renovation includes paving a trailhead parking lot large enough to accommodate helicopters and emergency vehicles, and establishing a water tank where helicopters can dip their buckets, said Loren M. Kroenke, U.S. Forest Service district ranger.
"The Fernwood picnic area could serve as a temporary helispot when needed for fires along the Davis County foothills. With increased residential development along the foothills, suitable helicopter landing zones for firefighting have become very limited," Kroenke said in a letter to Layton.
Carol Majeske, Forest Service district recreation manager, said the park was developed in 1958 and the facilities there have become rundown.
In addressing the needs of the park, which serves as a trailhead for the Great Western and Bonneville Shoreline trails, officials determined the renovation should include some type of wildfire control, she said.
During the Farmington wildfires in July, Majeske said helicopters dipped buckets into the Farmington Pond. She said the Forest Service does not allow water buckets to be flown over homes, so a dipping tank on the Layton bench will make it easier to serve that area.
Fire Chief Kevin Ward said the city will place a fire hydrant at the park entrance, and it, along with the park renovation, will open the area as a helicopter staging place.
"That is going to open up our options," he said.
Layton will provide the water at no cost, while the city and Forest Service will share cost in extending the waterline.