The community of Upper Hammonds Plains, located in the Halifax area, recently held a meeting to discuss wildfire protection. Community members, along with representatives from Halifax Water, Halifax Fire, and municipal staff, came together to address concerns about water pressure and fire protection following a major wildfire that occurred in May 2023. Rev. Lennett Anderson of Emmanuel Baptist Church expressed his worries about the lack of protection for his church and congregation, stating that the fire hydrants in the area are inadequate for firefighting purposes. Many residents left the meeting feeling frustrated and uncertain about the future safety of their community.
The meeting highlighted the fact that Upper Hammonds Plains, despite being home to the Pockwock Watershed, lacks sufficient water infrastructure and fire protection for its residents. Halifax Water confirmed that the water distribution system installed in the late 1990s does not meet the necessary standards for continuous fire suppression, as the hydrants can only supply a limited amount of water. Councilors Pam Lovelace and Iona Stoddard expressed concern over the inequity in safety measures and called for upgrades to the area’s watermains to address these issues. Halifax Water acknowledged the concerns and stated that they are reviewing the system pressures and available flows to identify opportunities for improvement.
A recent report by Halifax’s fire department revealed that the municipality’s capabilities were overwhelmed during the wildfire in 2023, leading to concerns about future incidents. The rapid escalation of the fire was described as unprecedented and beyond the typical operational contingencies of Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency. This has left residents of Upper Hammonds Plains anxious about what would happen in the event of another major wildfire. Rev. Anderson emphasized the importance of water infrastructure for the protection of all communities, particularly in the face of historic wildfires that occurred in the area last year.
The lack of adequate fire protection in Upper Hammonds Plains has sparked frustration and fear among residents, who feel overlooked and vulnerable in the event of a wildfire. The community is calling for urgent action to address the safety concerns and ensure that necessary upgrades are made to the water infrastructure. Councilors Lovelace and Stoddard are pushing for improvements to the area’s watermains to meet the required standards for fire suppression. Halifax Water has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and is working to identify ways to enhance the overall conditions of the system.
The wildfire protection meeting in Upper Hammonds Plains shed light on the urgent need for improvements to the area’s water infrastructure to ensure the safety of residents in case of future wildfires. The community’s concerns about inadequate fire protection and water pressure have raised questions about the decisions made in the 1990s that have left them vulnerable. Halifax Water’s commitment to reviewing the system pressures and available flows is a step in the right direction, but more substantial upgrades may be necessary to meet the standards required for effective fire suppression. The community, along with local officials and utility representatives, are working together to address these critical issues and protect the residents of Upper Hammonds Plains.
