BC Wildfire Service reports vandals strike again near Bowser

By Nelson Daily Staff

Equipment at a weather compound station near Bowser was damaged by vandals. — Photo courtesy BC Wildfire Service

The BC Wildfire Service has reported another act of vandalism, this time on Vancouver Island near Bowser.

According to a BC Wildfire Service media release, someone broke into and vandalized the station last week by hopping a five-foot fence into the compound.

The vandal broke into the cabinet by bending the door up and then proceeded to remove the power supply by ripping it out the wiring.

BC Wildfire Service said the cost of the damage is approximately $1,000.

However the Wildlife Service said what's more troubling is the site being offline compromising the safety of fire crews and that public.

“These sites provide data that is used to calculate indices and fire danger ratings, allowing for crew positioning, public advisories on fire danger, and industry shutdowns,” said the BC Wildfire Service in a statement.

“This station even has a sign on it describing its purpose.”

Earlier this month, vandals struck at a tower near Creston.

BC Wildlife Service said vandals seriously damaged radio communications equipment on Thompson Mountain in the Southeast Fire Centre sometime between (Friday) July 29 and (Tuesday) August 2.

The cost to replace the radio equipment was estimated at $100,000.

Anyone who has information about the vandalism is asked to contact his or her local RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.