Penticton residents to make a pitch for increased fire protection on area trails

PENTICTON – The threat of wildfire is prompting a Penticton neighbourhood to approach city council this week in an effort to extend fire protection in their area.

Riddle Road residents and user groups of the Three Blind Mice biking trail network want a water line extended from Naramata Road and Riddle Road to the Trans Canada Trail. The group is also requesting the installation of a fire hydrant at the trail.

The delegation will make their pitch at the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 15.

The Riddle Road property owners cite a high wildfire hazard in their area, noting the hazard is increased by the large numbers of cyclists, disk golfers, dog walkers and hikers accessing the area who may not be as fire aware as residents.

The delegation also argues installation of a hydrant at the trail would not only offer additional protection to Riddle Road residents, it would help protect the Three Blind Mice trails and other city owned assets in the area.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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