CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The cold weather doesn’t stop fires from happening, but it can make it harder for firefighters to battle them. 

Joshua Jessup, Champaign Fire Department deputy fire chief, said it can take them longer to get to scenes safely in these conditions.

Once on location, slips and falls can be a hazard while trying to extinguish flames.

“[The weather] certainly creates some difficulty for us in terms of fires when we have to move equipment through snow and icy conditions on the sidewalks and the roadways,” Jessup said. “We’re in the business of ensuring that we get someplace safely so that we can take care of our community, and so sometimes, it takes a bit more time when we have snow-covered and ice-covered roads.”

He said Champaign-Urbana MTD provides buses in colder weather to keep fire victims and first responders warm on scene.

He also said alternative heat sources — like space heaters — can pose a risk during the winter months.