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That source is area ponds equipped with piping systems that, in wetter times, allow departments to draw water to refill fire trucks during a fire. The piping system is called a dry hydrant.
The area's dry fire hydrants can't reach water in ponds that have shrunk in size. The Courtney fire chief says it's the worst situation he's seen in 47 years on the job.
"It's a terrible problem," said Chief Johnny Williard. "We've got no water in certain areas of our district." Williard said parts of Courtney including Deep Creek, Huntsville and Wyo could not sustain a "major fire."
"The lakes have gone down to the point where we can't get lines out of them," he said. "We don't have the water supply if we have a major fire."
Even with more than four inches of rain from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, Williard said, ponds used for dry hydrants are still below the level needed, some by more than four feet. In water sources near Courtney-Huntsville Road and Ray T. Moore Road, pickup pipes were visible Monday sticking out of the water.
Near Ray T. Moore Road, Williard estimated the pipe was more than 18 inches above the water. "It's not a bit of use to us," he said.
The drought sweeping across the United States is to blame, Williard said. He said if a fire happens, the department would have to tap into water lines near U.S. 601 and Courtney-Huntsville Road.
Other departments would be called in for assistance and tankers would be needed to haul the water.
"But that's a long way to haul it," Williard said.
The only solution, he said, is rain and lots of it.
"There is no way to fix it unless it rains," he said. "We have to fill these ponds back up. We're going to have to have some major rains and thunderstorms."
Williard said his department is hoping no fires happen before the drought breaks.
Yadkin County Fire Marshal Eddie Weatherman said he is requesting all departments check their hydrants. The dry hydrants used in the county suck water out of ponds and other sources through pumps.
He said there is one concern on Petty Road in West Yadkin, but "Courtney is the worst location right now.
"We've got ponds all over the county that are below normal right now," he said.
Even small amounts of rainfall are not enough to temper the situation.
"Spotty showers that produce a tenth of rain are not enough to relieve the drought conditions," Weatherman said. "Normally, the soil absorbs it."
Currently, the county is under the same burn ban that the rest of the state is under. It marks the second burn ban this year.
Weatherman said the county will remain under the ban "unless we get significant wide-spread rainfall across the county."
"That's the reason for the burning bans," he said. "We've got a critical time right now."
An Oct. 18 release from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said meteorologists predict "the drought will continue through the winter for many areas in the Southeast."
"Although forecasters cannot rule out rain in any location in coming months, the latest U.S. drought outlook shows reduced chances for significant relief along the Gulf and Southeast coasts, as the odds for soaking tropical rains diminish as the Atlantic hurricane season winds down."
Weatherman said if it gets down to where there is no water to fight fires, then "what departments will probably do is protect what's not burning."
"I certainly hope we're not going to get into that situation, but you just never know," he said. "That's a worst-case scenario."
Per Yadkin County procedure, three departments are dispatched to all structure fires.
"We've got water coming, but how long we can maintain that water supply is the question," Weatherman said.
He said the best defense for residents is to "use common sense and don't burn."
One hope Williard said he was holding onto is Yadkin County's decision to extend water lines further on Courtney-Huntsville Road. Hydrants tapped into the main water line will be placed at Courtney Elementary School and across the street from the Courtney VFD.
Williard said he was thankful the county planned to extend the line that far.
"It will help a considerable amount," he said. "It will put a hydrant at the central point of our district."
But Williard said Courtney needs more than that extension.
He said he wants to see lines extend further past the fire department and school to the Wyo area. Also, he said a water line on Old Stage Road and feeder lines in between would help secure the area.
"It would be a great asset to fire service," he said. "But I don't see that happening overnight."
County Commission Chairwoman Kim Phillips said engineering plans for the extension to the school and fire department are almost completed. She said there were no plans as of now to extend the water past that point.
"All areas of the county have been hit by the drought," Phillips said. "We need water lines everywhere.
"Of course we should do that. Of course we should take care of contaminated wells. Of course we should get water to the more populated areas and to the schools."
She said there is "a need ranking." That ranking, Phillips said, begins with public safety and public health.
Until the line extends, Williard said his department is left to wait.
"It's critical," Williard said. "It's just a waiting game to see when it rains."
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