Safety concerns force BC Hydro to de-energize community of Ditidaht following wire theft
DITIDAHT – BC Hydro crews de-energized the village of Ditidaht on Vancouver Island at 5pm this evening after a substantial wire theft in the community has made electrical distribution equipment unsafe for local residents.
BC Hydro received a call from a resident in the area about the safety of the nearby electrical distribution equipment. After an investigation by crews, it was discovered that copper grounding wire had been stolen from approximately 300 utility poles along a remote 62 kilometre section of line between China Creek and Ditidaht.
All available BC Hydro crews will be on-site in the village early Saturday making the necessary repairs. BC Hydro estimates power will be restored late Saturday afternoon. Work on Saturday will focus on repairing the poles in the village in order to return power to customers as quickly and safely as possible.
This is an example of how metal theft crimes not only affect public safety but can also significantly impact the reliability of the electrical system.
BC Hydro is working closely with community officials to keep them informed as the situation progresses.
BC Hydro is also working with the Port Alberni RCMP as they conduct an investigation into the theft. If anyone has any information about this crime, they are asked to contact the local RCMP detachment at 250.723.242 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1.800.222.TIPS.
About BC Hydro
BC Hydro has been providing clean, reliable power to British Columbians for more than 50 years while maintaining among the lowest rates in North America. BC Hydro is a provincial Crown corporation that serves 1.9 million customers and invests in the electrical system and in energy conservation to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity for today’s customers and for generations to come.
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For more information please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
p. 604.928.6468
w. bchydro.com/media