As more families move to Utah’s scenic rural areas, a serious issue is emerging: some growing communities are being built without basic fire safety systems like fire hydrants. This makes it difficult—and dangerous—for firefighters to protect homes during emergencies.
Rural Utah Growth Brings Fire Safety Concerns
In places like Rural Weber County, new homes are springing up in once-quiet areas. But according to fire officials, many of these neighborhoods still rely on old, outdated water infrastructure. In fact, some spots don’t have any fire hydrants at all.
Weber Fire District Deputy Chief David Reed says it’s a regular problem.
“I probably get one call a week in the upper valley that doesn’t have hydrants,” he said.
How Firefighters Handle Fires Without Hydrants
In areas where fire hydrants are missing, firefighters are forced to use water tenders—large trucks that carry water to the scene. While helpful, this method:
- Slows down firefighting efforts
- Limits how much water is available
- Puts homes and lives at greater risk
Fire crews must often drive back and forth to refill, wasting precious time in a fire emergency.
Why Some Homes Don’t Have Hydrants
This problem exists mostly in older rural areas. Here’s why:
- Decades ago, there were no rules requiring full water systems in rural developments.
- Homes built one at a time today aren’t required to install full systems like in new subdivisions.
- Installing full water systems for individual homes is very expensive and difficult.
So even though new subdivisions must include hydrants and proper systems, individual homes are often built legally without them, creating “pockets” of neighborhoods with poor fire protection.
Not Just Weber County—Morgan Faces It Too
Brad Wilkes, Fire Chief in Morgan County, says the same challenge exists there:
“As development comes in, it puts more pressure on areas where water systems just aren’t adequate,” he explained.
Even though rules have improved, fixing older communities is costly and logistically hard. It’s almost impossible to go back and force major changes in neighborhoods that are already built.
Possible Solutions and Recommendations
Since installing full hydrant systems in rural areas is expensive, fire officials are suggesting some practical alternatives, especially for homeowners:
- On-site water tanks
- Indoor fire sprinkler systems
- Fire-resistant landscaping
While these solutions may not replace hydrants, they can help buy time during a fire and reduce damage.
