Firefighters in Wisconsin clear hydrants from deep snow

SUN PRAIRIE, Wisc. (CBS, KYMA) - Firefighters in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, demonstrated how long it can take to clear a fire hydrant covered in snow, recently released footage shows.

The Sun Prairie Fire & EMS - Fire Division posted the footage to Facebook with a caption reading, in part, "This is a reminder to clear the fire Hydrants near your homes and businesses! After the heavy snow this weekend, the plows had to move it somewhere! Usually, that somewhere is corners and roadsides, the same locations as fire hydrants."

The department added that, "Those very fire hydrants are the ones we use to fight fires, and we may need urgent access to them. Making sure the one closest to your home is cleared could mean the difference in saving a life and losing one, or saving the home versus losing it."

The video shows firefighters digging out a hydrant behind a snowplow pile for over a minute. The department advised clearing hydrants with three feet on all sides, and all the way to the road.