Protecting South Lake Tahoe, one hydrant at a time - one man's annual mission

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe fire agencies have been asking for the public's help in keeping the basin's 4,097 hydrants clear of snow this winter, a daunting task. A cleared fire hydrant allows firefighters quicker access to much-needed water in the case of an emergency.

While many have taken the challenge and kept the hydrant closest to their home clear, one South Lake Tahoe man takes on dozens by himself every winter.

Jay Brazil, who lives in the Al Tahoe neighborhood, was a fireman/paramedic in South San Francisco before relocating to Tahoe in 1996 when he was hired by Tahoe Douglas Fire the following year. After retirement in 2008, Brazil wanted to keep up with a job he found enjoyable, clearing snow from hydrants. He knows the importance of having immediate water sources near homes.

Over the winter of 2022, he ended up clearing 120 hydrants. So far this year, he maintains 45, 20 of which are in Al Tahoe, the rest in other areas including three at the top of Cold Creek Trail.

Jay said he plots out his hydrant clearing map each summer, then after digging out each hydrant in winter he'll check on them weekly, clearing out again if it has snowed. Those in Al Tahoe he'll drive by daily. He has given Fire Station 2 a list of those in the neighborhood he has cleared so they know ahead of responding to a fire which hydrants are clear.

"I enjoy it - it's good exercise, and I leave knowing the area is safe," said Jay of his "hydrant carving."

This weekend he cleared out a hydrant on Aloha (see picture above), and he'll cut out more as it warms up as the hydrants become more exposed. Instead of watching the Super Bowl Sunday, he went out to check on hydrants since cars were off the roads as drivers were watching the big game. He said it was very quiet.

A cleared-out fire hydrant gives the firefighters three football fields coverage with their hoses and engines, Jay said.

"It's not just for the house by the hydrant," added Jay.

As he sets out on his hydrant clearing rounds he'll have just three tools with him, a small ax, a square shovel, and a spade shovel.

"Buried hydrants are a real issue for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR), as they are for all fire agencies at the lake," said SLTFR Captain Kim George. "With thousands of them in the city, there is no way we can clear them all from snow and ice. In addition, when we respond to a structure fire, every second counts. Having to shovel a hydrant takes time and personnel who could otherwise be working on the fire. We encourage community members to adopt-a-hydrant through our adopt a hydrant program, but what Mr. Brazil is doing is way above and beyond the call of action for any citizen. The amount of compassion and consideration for others demonstrated is extraordinary. Our deepest gratitude goes out to Mr. Brazil!"