Man arrested after tampering with sprinkler systems near Redwater wildfire
Alberta RCMP say one man has been arrested and accused of tampering with sprinkler systems set up by a fire department in Redwater.
On Thursday, Redwater RCMP members were conducting patrols in the evacuation zone when they noticed a male who appeared to be trespassing. Upon further investigation, they learned that the man was tampering with sprinkler systems that were set up by the fire department to protect residences from wildfires, rendering them inactive.
Mounties say officers arrested the suspect, and charges are pending approval, and an update is anticipated once charges are laid.
“We want to send a clear message to those who have evacuated as well as to those who enter evacuation zones to cause harm” said S/Sgt. Michael Jaszczyszyn, District Advisory NCO for Eastern Alberta District in a news release.
“We are patrolling evacuation areas to ensure the safety of the communities and will continue to apprehend, arrest and charge all those who commit criminal activities within those zones, especially those than can facilitate the spread of wildfires.”
According to the Alberta Emergency Alert website, the wildfire in the Redwater Provincial Recreation Area remains active.
The evacuation alert remains in effect for the southeast portion of Thorhild County, between TWP Rd. 590 (Correction Line) and the TWP Rd. 580 (Sturgeon County Boundary) between Rge Rd. 203 & Rge Rd. 221 including the Hamlet of Radway.
The estimated size of the wildfire is 3,060 hectares, and it is classified as out of control