Crews frustrated by thefts of firefighting equipment

Crews battling wildfires across B.C. have been faced with hot weather and difficult conditions, but officials say the theft and damage of equipment is the most frustrating challenge yet.

RCMP spokeswoman Dawn Roberts said the force is investigating a number of thefts and acts of mischief related to fire suppression, including incidents targeting local fire stations and trucks used in fighting the wildfires.

“These are criminal acts and they’re seriously impacting the safety of others, including our emergency personnel and the public,” she said in a conference call on Friday. “We’re asking people if they come across firefighting equipment to do the right thing and leave it alone.”

The B.C. Wildfire Service has said a water pump and 10 hoses were stolen from crews fighting a wildfire northeast of Nelson late Monday or early Tuesday.

With so many fires burning across the province, equipment has been spread thin and the wildfire service has had to bring in more from partner agencies, said chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek. “Obviously in any situation the theft of equipment is reprehensible, but especially with what we’re dealing with right now,” he said.

About 3,800 people were fighting more than 120 fires across B.C. on Friday. Flames threatened a number of communities, prompting 27 evacuation orders and 41 evacuation alerts, where residents have to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

Provincial officials banned offroad vehicles from the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast fire centres Friday in an attempt to prevent a spark, or hot tailpipe, from igniting extremely dry fuel in the forests and grasslands.

The restrictions come as the provincial government extended the state of emergency declared in response to wildfires. It’s the second time Premier John Horgan’s government has rolled over the declaration, and this extension will run until Aug. 18.