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Commission discusses wildfire water strategies: AMI meters, prepositioned water and fire ponds
Summary
Members discussed wildfire response options including next-generation AMI meters that can remotely shut off water at meters to manage depressurization during structure fires, and designated fire-suppression ponds that helicopters can use; commissioners also proposed prepositioning water in strategic sites for helitack operations.
Commissioners discussed wildfire-related water strategies during member discussion. Chair reported that next-generation AMI meters (metering that can remotely shut off water at the meter) exist and are being trialed by Roxborough; the new meters cost about $600 compared with $300 for older models and could be used to shut off individual services to avoid system depressurization during structure fires. "You would have the ability to shut water off to a home," the Chair said when describing the technology to the commission.
Members also discussed where helicopter crews get water for fire drops and whether the county should preposition water in strategic high-risk areas or designate more ponds as fire-suppression reservoirs. Jim Morris described a Perry Park pond that was designated as a fire reservoir to allow helicopter dipping, and staff noted legislation in recent years allows such designated ponds to be exempted from ordinary water-right administration when used for fire suppression. Harold Smethals suggested prepositioning water in dry lakes and ponds in high-risk areas to reduce reliance on long helitack flights.
