Vandals damage BC Wildfire Service radio equipment

Vandals thought it would be funny to damage nearly $100,000 worth of BC Wildfire Service radio equipment, but police aren’t laughing.

The equipment was deliberately vandalized sometime between July 29 and Aug. 2, 2016, and put the safety of fire fighting personnel at serious risk. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the equipment is located on Thompson Mountain in the Southeast Fire Centre and is accessible from the Thompson Rim Trail.

The damage is said to be beyond repair and will cost between $80,000 and $100,000 to replace and install in a more secure area.

“At this time of the year, when wildfire behaviour can be both aggressive and unpredictable, it’s crucial for BC Wildfire Service personnel to be able to communicate with each other quickly and effectively,” said the BC Wildfire Service in a statement “Radio repeaters and related equipment are vital for ensuring the safety of firefighting crews and for protecting the public and infrastructure from harm.”

Radio repeaters used by the BC Wildfire Service are located throughout the province. Anyone who comes across this equipment in the backcountry should leave it alone.

Anyone who has information about the vandalism that occurred at Thompson Mountain is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment or call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS.