Close X
Sunday, September 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Fire Crews' Radio Equipment 'Deliberately' Vandalized: Officials

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Aug, 2016 01:17 PM
    CASTLEGAR, B.C. — Wildfire officials say vandals near Creston, B.C., have destroyed crucial radio equipment used to keep firefighters safe.
     
    Someone broke into a radio communication tower at the top of the Thompson Rim Trail sometime between July 29 and Aug. 2 and deliberately destroyed all of the equipment inside, said fire information officer Carlee Kachman.
     
    "It put the safety of firefighting personnel at risk," she said.
     
    Fire crews in remote areas use the communications technology to stay in touch with the fire centre, aircraft and other staff.
     
    "It's a vital part to ensuring the safety of our firefighting crews and ensuring the protecting of the public and of infrastructure," Kachman said.
     
    This isn't the first time the site's equipment has been damaged, she said, but this time the electronics have been vandalized beyond repair.
     
    The B.C. Wildfire Service is now looking for a new location for the tower, but the replacement will take several months and cost between $80,000 and $100,000, Kachman said.
     
    For now, the wildfire officials have created a temporary patch to keep in touch with crews in the area.
     
    Provincial fire crews faced an early and aggressive fire season this year, as hot, dry conditions fuelled a number of blazes in May and early June, particularly in northeastern B.C.
     
    Cooler weather and rain have created a downturn in fire activity recently, but fire officials are still warning the public to be vigilant about fire.
     
    The B.C. Wildfire Service said in a release that crews responded to dozens of abandoned campfires around the province over the long weekend, including 32 in the southeast fire centre, the region where the radio communications tower was destroyed.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash
    SEPT-ILES, Que. — Quebec provincial police have arrested two suspects who allegedly stole mail that was filled with cash.

    2 Quebecers Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Mail Containing Cash

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member
    The Ontario premier says she accepts the Opposition party's apology but suggests a man might not have been treated the same way.

    Ont. Premier Kathleen Wynne Accepts Apology From Alberta Wildrose Party Member

    Liberals Have Qualms About Trudeau's Plan To Transform Party Into Open Movement

    The prime minister is the driving force behind a proposed new, streamlined constitution for the party which would, among other things, do away entirely with the concept of paid membership.

    Liberals Have Qualms About Trudeau's Plan To Transform Party Into Open Movement

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp
    Housing Minister Rich Coleman said Friday in an audio statement released by his ministry that the government will be back at court next week to apply for a interim injunction to dismantle the camp.

    B.C. Heads Back To Court To Seek Injunction To Shut Down Victoria Homeless Camp

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets
    Randy Rinaldo announced Friday in a statement posted to Twitter that he had withdrawn his candidacy for the riding of Burnaby-Lougheed.

    B.C. Liberal Candidate Randy Rinaldo Ends Campaign Over 'Insensitive' Tweets

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears
    Urz Heer, a turquoise scarf covering her hair, chastised her fellow Conservatives and party leadership, saying the campaign unfairly targeted her community.

    Conservative Election Campaign Drove Muslims Away, Convention Hears