Two things are needed to battle fires: water and people. Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District needs both, according to Chief Hart Wright. Most pressing is water. Less than 20 percent of the coverage area, which serves 625 addresses along the west side of Highway 115 from Cheyenne Mountain Park down to the Fremont County line, is serviced by hydrants, Wright said.
That means the fire district has to shuttle in water to fight fires. The district hopes to replace its old, unreliable water tender with a newer model made in 1990 that can hold 2,000 gallons - 500 more gallons than the current tender. It will cost about $25,000.
Some of the funds needed were raised Sunday at the Hwy 115 Citizens Advisory Committee chili cook-off. The group, which reorganized last year to fight against a controversial quarry project planned south of Hitch Rack Ranch, also has pledged a part of their funds to the new truck.