CENTRAL ILLINOIS — Even as temperatures drop, fires keep burning. Over the past week, cities across Central Illinois, including Champaign, Mattoon, and Sullivan, have battled multiple fires.
The Champaign Fire Department highlighted the unique challenges of fighting fires during the winter months.
“December, January and February, we see half of our home heating fires,” said Randy Smith, Public Information Officer for the Champaign Fire Department.
Firefighters face two extremes: the intense heat from flames and the biting cold outside. Smith noted that winter conditions often require changes in strategy.
“You’ll see a lot of different changes in tactics in the winter,” he said.
Despite the cold, the basic method of extinguishing fires remains the same.
“How we put out fire is water. We bring the engines, bring that water, and make things slick,” Smith explained.
Collaboration is key during winter operations.
“We’ll reach out to our public works department. If we have a major incident, we’ll have them spread salt or sand to keep footing safer for us,” he added.
Smith also mentioned that the local transit system can assist.
“We can have MTD bring a bus to the scene. It gives firefighters a spot to get out of the weather, warm up before going back in, and it helps occupants, too. If we have a large apartment fire on campus, it allows them to stay warm while we fight the fire.”
Winter also complicates routine tasks like washing fire trucks.
“This time of year, when you wash the truck, you have to be careful because in five or ten minutes, doors can freeze up,” Smith said.
He emphasized that prevention is just as critical as response. As people crank up their heating, taking safety measures is essential.
“First off, have your furnace inspected and maintained once a year by a professional,” Smith said. He also stressed inspecting fireplaces annually, noting that while winter cold is unavoidable, winter fires don’t have to be.
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