BC Wildfire Service says critical equipment including pumps have been stolen and is impacting firefighting efforts on the Bald Range wildfire. During a livestream on Wednesday afternoon from the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen, BCWS spokesperson Erin Catherall confirmed the equipment was taken. “These thefts are disrupting suppression efforts, removing some of the critical equipment we need for our suppression activity on the fire.” Catherall said. Catherall emphasized the stolen equipment is clearly marked as BCWS or Government of BC property and is essential to the ongoing firefight in the region. “It would be labeled, it’s very clearly used for suppression efforts. We just kindly ask people to report if they have any knowledge of this stolen equipment,” she said. During the livestream, Catherall confirmed The Bald Range wildfire grew about 600 hectares since Tuesday, sitting at an estimated 22,693 hectares since being discovered on Aug. 7. BCWS is also reminding the public that the Summerland Arena parking lot is closed, as it continues to be the command centre for firefighters who are battling the Bald Range wildfire, as well as the field at Summerland Secondary, which is being used for helicopters to land safely. BCWS are urging anyone with information about the thefts to contact police. “If you see suspicious activity or you have knowledge of stolen BC Wildfire Service equipment, we really ask you to report this to the non-emergency RCMP phone number,” says Catherall.
