Politics & Government

City Officials Urge Residents to Keep Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow

 As this winter continues to top the charts for snowfall, the St. Charles Fire Department would like to remind residents to keep fire hydrants clear of snow. 

Fire Chief Joe Schelstreet urges residents to clear snow away from hydrants so they are visible and accessible at all times. “If firefighters can’t find the hydrant or have to dig it out of the snow, that’s valuable time lost in fighting a fire,” he said. 

Hydrants can quickly become covered from snowfall, snow pushed by plows or thrown by snowblowers. Chief Schelstreet recommends clearing the snow around the hydrant and down to the ground to assure accessibility in an emergency. 

As a reminder, the City of St. Charles Snow Route Parking Ban is in effect when snow accumulations reach 2”; snow routes are marked with blue signs. When snowfalls reach 3” or more, a full citywide parking ban goes into effect for all city streets. The Police Department will begin enforcing these parking regulations approximately one hour after the designated accumulations are reached. 



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