BC community's water system damaged by alleged vandalism during wildfire response

Residents of Boston Bar, British Columbia, are grappling with the aftermath of alleged vandalism that damaged their water system amidst an ongoing wildfire response. The community was under an evacuation order due to the Brunswick Complex wildfire when officials shut off the water to protect infrastructure and prioritize firefighting efforts.

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Unfortunately, when they did so, they did it incorrectly and they caused some damage to the infrastructure.

However, someone turned the water back on during the night, but "incorrectly," according to Patricia Ross, chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District. This action caused damage to the water system's infrastructure. The district received a high-flow alarm indicating a valve had been opened, and staff were able to shut the system off again early Friday morning.

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We had enough to contend with with the wildfires and then now we have this damage to our water infrastructure.

The incorrect operation of the valve created the potential for a "water hammer," a pressure surge that could have caused catastrophic damage. The full extent of the damage remains unknown as the area is still unsafe to access due to the wildfire. Ross noted that the alleged vandalism has added to the already challenging wildfire response.

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It’s illegal for people to even be in that area. They’re putting themselves at risk. They’re also putting first responders at risk and they’re impeding the ability of the firefighters to fight this fire.

Ross emphasized that no one should have been in the evacuated area, calling the act illegal and dangerous. She stated that such actions put individuals at risk, endanger first responders, and impede firefighters' ability to combat the blaze. The regional district warned that taxpayers could face significant repair costs if the system sustained substantial damage, and the incident is now an active police investigation.

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This could be very costly for the residents. We’re hoping it’s minimal, but we don’t know anything for sure.