CFD changes four lights in red wreath challenge
Four light bulbs on the wreath outside the Columbia downtown fire station were changed from red to white, representing the four fires that occurred in the 2009 holiday season.
The wreath stood outside the station as part of Operation Red Wreath, an annual tradition at the Columbia Fire Department. One bulb was changed to white for every fire that occurred between Dec. 1 and Jan. 4.
Unattended cooking caused two fires that happened on Dec. 4. CFD Battalion Chief Steven Sapp said there were two more fires on Dec. 30. One fire was caused by a heating appliance and the other was set intentionally.
CFD sees an average of two to four fires per year during the holiday season, Sapp said. The department is pleased with the outcome of the operation this year.
“We would have preferred of course to see zero (fires),” Sapp said. “Four is an acceptable number for a community this size.”
Check out The Maneater to view past Operation Red Wreath coverage.