Benton County Fire District four just purchased a new water tender to improve fire protection in the area.
A water tender is a piece of equipment that is critical in fighting fires where there is no direct water supply.
The district already has one water tender on hand, but this tank acts as a back-up water source for fire calls.
In wake of the recent wildfires across the state, the fire department believes it is important to have a second water tender in such a rural area.
“A three-thousand gallon water tender will be very advantageous to being able to fill these without having these trucks to have to go long distances to try to refill out of a hydrant, a pond or a canal so we can actually have water closer to where the fire might be,” said Fire Chief Bill Whealan.
The water tender will be delivered in late October and be in use by November.