The efforts of Prince George theatre goers could save a few homes this summer.
City council confirmed Monday acceptance of $180,000, raised this past March and April through Miracle Theatre's production of A Comedy of Tenors to purchase a "structural protection unit" - a 22-foot trailer outfitted with apparatus for defending buildings against wildfire.
They can create a “humidity bubble” to prevent firebrands or sparks from landing on a structure, or by establishing a “wet line” around a property to slow or stop an advancing wildfire.
City emergency programs manager Tanya Spooner said the purchasing process will take 10-16 weeks, "so hopefully it will be here during the fire season but it may not be here at the beginning of the fire season."
Spooner said staff will be going through the grant process this fall to purchase a second unit.
A difficult summer is in store, council was told.
"I think it's no secret that we are still in drought conditions, we are expecting weather temperatures to be similar to last year, so we are expecting a warm, dry season, and it is every likelihood that we will see a warm, dry wildfire season in both Prince George and in our region," Spooner said.
Council members roundly agreed that something should be done to acknowledge Ted Price and Anne Laughlin, the driving forces behind Miracle Theatre. Exactly how much was raised will be announced next week, Spooner said.
