On March 22, 2026, a group of local volunteers finished a 10-week project to clear snow from 428 fire hydrants throughout Brandon, Manitoba, to ensure fire crews can reach them quickly during emergencies.
This effort helps Brandon Fire & Emergency Services by keeping the hydrants visible and easy to get to. The project took place over a winter where Environment Canada predicted the region would see more snow than usual.
According to the People of Brandon group, the volunteer work helped supplement the city’s regular snow removal. While the City of Brandon clears over 2,500 miscellaneous locations on major roads—including fire hydrants, bus stops, and intersections—these volunteers focused on digging out hydrants in residential neighbourhoods.
This community project follows a similar individual effort in 2025 where local resident Tim Newman cleared 100 hydrants on his own. The city also encourages people to help their neighbours through the Snow Angels program, which matches volunteers with people who need help clearing snow from their sidewalks.
Local regulations state that fire hydrants must be kept clear at all times so they can be seen from the street. It is also illegal to park within three metres of a hydrant, as fire crews need immediate access to the water supply during a fire.
