Hope RCMP investigating vandalism to Boston Bar water system, more evacuation orders issued

BOSTON BAR — Officials are seeking more information about who was responsible for damaging the Boston Bar water system as a wildfire continues to rage in the area. 

On Thursday, July 23, the Fraser Valley Regional District told what should have been a fully evacuated community that the area’s water needed to be shut off as the water supply decreased and water access to the BC Wildfire Service had to be prioritized.

The District says it received a high flow alarm at around 11:30 p.m. that evening, 

meaning someone had turned the valve riser incorrectly, which fed the system with water and could have potentially caused “catastrophic failure” to it.

Staff were able to turn service back off roughly two hours later.

“Unfortunately, this incident has the potential to burden taxpayers who pay for water service through substantial repair costs for the water system,” said the FVRD. “The FVRD is hoping the water system endured minimal damage as a result of the vandalism however, felt it important to advise the community about the potential damage.”

Steps are being taken to provide safe drinking water for anyone using the water system.

Police are now investigating.

Anyone with information on the matter is urged to contact Hope RCMP and quote file number 2026-31913.

An evacuation alert has been upgraded to an order from south of Hells Gate to north of Alexandra Lodge.

The Brunswick Complex is burning at 33,678 hectares at the time of writing – roughly the size of three Vancouvers.