The current Cedar Springs Fire Station, at W. Maple and Second Street. Photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

With all the talk of the opening of the new library at N. Main and W. Maple Streets, the question arises: what is happening with the Cedar Springs Fire barn? Will it stay where it is, or will it be relocated?

Chances are, it will be relocated close to the very same area it started in.

“We are strongly looking at the area behind the old library building (between Elm and Cherry fronting on 2^nd) as the location,” said Cedar Springs City Manager Mike Womack. “We are trying to figure out what the fire department’s future needs will be and have put together a couple of potential renderings about what the building will look like. Once we are satisfied with the basic design of the building we will take it to an architect and get a cost estimate.”

According to The Cedar Springs Story, by Sue Harrison and Donna DeJonge, a new fire station was built at the corner of Cherry and Second Street in 1874. When the book was published in 1976, the Fire Department also had a station at that same location, 43 W. Cherry. It later became the home of the current Cedar Springs Library.

According to Fire Chief Marty Fraser, they shared the building for a time with the Cedar Springs Library. The Fire Station had the west part of the building, and the library had the east side. Then a new fire station was built on W. Maple in the late 70s or early 80s. That’s where the fire department is today.

Come May, when the new library opens at Main and W. Maple, the fire department and library will once again be sharing the same property, although not the same building. That is, until a new fire station is built.

The new location would be just behind the old library, in the area where the Cedar Springs Community building used to stand.

Womack said that another idea was to share a building complex with the county, on property they own on 17 Mile, behind Taco Bell, but the timing wasn’t right.

“That project is 3-5 years in the future and we want to break ground in the next 1-2 years,” he explained.

Stay tuned! The Post will pass along more info on the building of the new fire barn as we get it.

We’re counting down, and the Post annual community Easter egg hunt is only two weeks  away! Plan now to attend the event, to be held Saturday, April 7, at 1:00 p.m. at Red Hawk Elementary, on the Cedar Springs Public Schools campus. It will begin promptly at 1 p.m. so don’t be late! It will feature hunts for four different age groups (up to age 10), real colored eggs, candy, coins and great prizes. The Cedar Springs Fire Department, Red Flannel Queen and Court, Keystone Kops, Post staff, and of course, the Easter Bunny, will all be on hand to help with the festivities! Call us at 696-3655 with questions.

Photo by R. Kompstra

Smoke was in the air Saturday as flames surged through the roof, but it was nothing to be alarmed about. The fire was planned, and was due to a practice burn that Algoma and Courtland Fire Departments participated in at the corner of Algoma and 15 Mile Road. Thanks to Rebecca Klompstra for letting us use one of her photos!

The Cedar Springs Fire Department works to put out any hotspots after a grassfire at this home on 18 Mile in Nelson Township Tuesday. Post photo by J. Reed.

It’s wildfire season in Michigan

The Cedar Springs Fire Department responded to their first grass fire of the season Tuesday, April 12, shortly after 6 p.m. in Nelson Township.
The call came in saying that the backyard and side yard were burning at 5316 18 Mile Rd, just west of Ritchie.
According to Cedar Springs Fire Chief Jerry Gross, the homeowner was burning yard waste that got out control. There was no burn permit registered to the residence.
“It’s just dry enough, and not yet green enough, that conditions are right for this to happen,” said Chief Gross. “We were lucky that the wind was in our favor.”
Then on Wednesday, April 13, Solon Township, Cedar Springs, and Sand Lake Fire Departments all fought a fire on Algoma, between 20 and 21 Mile. That call came in about 2:15, saying that a truck, trailer with a propane tank, RV, and the grass was all on fire and spreading. The departments got it under control quickly, but it was close to press time, and Solon Deputy Fire Chief Brian VanderLaan did not yet have details on how the fire started.
Grass fires were popping up all over Kent County Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Department of Natural Resources issued a bulletin last week about the danger of wildfires right now. “Spring is wildfire season in Michigan,” said Paul Kollmeyer, DNR’s fire prevention specialist based in Cadillac. “Dead grass and other vegetation are exposed when the snow melts, and quickly dry under windy warm conditions creating a tinder fuel that easily ignites. This dead vegetation, coupled with a lack of moisture, creates a perfect mix for high wildfire danger.”
The long range forecast models for Michigan show expected average temperatures and rainfall for Michigan this spring, he noted.
“It is always a day-to-day situation during spring fire season in Michigan,” Kollmeyer said. “Even if we have average temperatures and rainfall, there will always be several dry, windy days that cause problems if a fire happens to start in the right place at the right time.”
The DNR reminds Michigan citizens to use extreme caution with fire this spring, especially when doing yard or property cleanup work, or if enjoying a spring camping or hunting trip. Several significant wildfires in the past few years were started by these human activities. Consider composting or mulching brush and yard waste. Michigan State University County Extension offices, local garden clubs or local waste reduction authorities, are all good sources for information on composting.
“This year is another critical year for us in terms of wildfire suppression,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “Weather conditions, historic low number of active fire officers and more people getting outdoors, all combine to make springtime in Michigan dangerous for wildfires. We need the public’s help to prevent wildfires, and urge everyone to do their part by using extreme caution when burning brush, leaves or enjoying a campfire.”
Kollmeyer reminds residents that burning brush legally in the state of Michigan requires a burn permit. In southern Michigan, burn permits and information on burning can be obtained from local fire departments and township offices.
Spring outdoor activities many times include cooking and campfires. Without proper precaution, fires can escape, causing a wildfire. The following tips can help prevent a fire from escaping:
•    Keep campfires small, and do not leave before they are extinguished.
•    Clear away flammable material surrounding the fire so it cannot ignite dry vegetation.
•    Be sure and douse with plenty of water, stir, and add more water until everything is wet.
•    Turn over unburned pieces and wet the underside.
•    Do not just cover a campfire with soil; it could smolder and remain hot for hours and then come back to life when everyone is gone.
For more information on wildfire prevention in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr-fire.

Sunny skies, colorful eggs, lots of kids, candies and prizes—it’s what we’re hoping for next Saturday, April 23, for the annual Post Community Easter Egg Hunt!
The event kicks off at 1:00 p.m. at Red Hawk Elementary, on the Cedar Springs Public Schools campus. Be sure to get there a little early to find a parking spot. We wouldn’t want you to be late for the hunt!
It will feature hunts for four different age groups up to age 10,  real colored eggs, candy, coins and great prizes. The Cedar Springs Fire Department, Keystone Kops, Red Flannel Queen and Court, Post staff, and of course, the Easter Bunny, will all be on hand to help with the festivities! Call us at 696-3655 with questions.