Does fire hydrant flow in Camp Sherman?

Holden Sellentin examines fire hydrant in downtown Camp Sherman.

At last week's Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Board meeting, Roger White questioned whether the single fire hydrant in downtown Camp Sherman worked or not.

White owns the Camp Sherman Store. The hydrant is located across from the store at the small parking area adjacent to the viewing platform. The hydrant has a below ground connection leading to a pipe that draws water from the Metolius River.

Chief Don Rowe remembers the hydrant working about 25 years ago when Larry Lohr, then owner of the Camp Sherman Store, put it in. Rowe told White that he would be glad to check out the "drafting hydrant" and offer any help or suggestions to make it fully operational.

Recent forest fires in the area have sparked renewed interest in fire safety precautions for individual homeowners and commercial areas. The Camp Sherman hydrant would be useful for protecting the nearby Store, U.S. Post Office and cabins.

However, there are complications. The hydrant was installed before the designation of the Metolius River as a "Wild and Scenic River."

Board opinion was that in an emergency pumping would be allowed. However, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be consulted.

Another problem is that the hydrant is on Forest Service land. Any digging to expose underground piping may need approval and an environmental impact study before proceeding. In this matter, the Sisters Forest Service office will be contacted.

Rural Fire Board members are Don Boyd, Channing Cathcart, Dave Elliott, Al McKenzie and Chairperson Steve Spear.

"You know how we solved these problems in the old days?" commented Steve Spear. "At night."