Gas line damage across BC hit its lowest point in more than two decades last year, according to FortisBC, thanks in large part to a major increase in BC 1 Call requests and contractor safety training.
But the numbers show Vancouver Island remains a notable concern, with more than 100 incidents reported in the region.
Of the 779 total incidents reported in 2024, 114 took place on Vancouver Island—accounting for nearly 15 per cent of the province’s total.
The City of Nanaimo led the region with 17 reported gas line damages, followed by Campbell River with 14. Both Victoria and Saanich recorded 11 incidents each.
FortisBC says this downward trend across the province is directly tied to increased awareness and use of BC 1 Call, a free service that helps prevent damage to underground utilities.
In 2024 alone, nearly 170,000 BC 1 Call requests were processed—a record number that shows more people are taking steps to “click or call before you dig.”
“The strong correlation between increased BC 1 Call usage and the decline in gas line damages is clear,” said Ada Nadison, program manager of public safety at FortisBC.
“While this progress is encouraging, we know there’s still work to be done, particularly in Metro Vancouver. We continue to prioritize safety and raise awareness about the importance of calling or clicking before digging.”
Gas line strikes can pose serious risks to public safety, lead to service outages, and result in expensive repairs. FortisBC says it is committed to damage prevention, conducting more than 30 safety training sessions across the province last year to help contractors, landscapers and municipal crews follow best practices before breaking ground.
“We’ve seen fantastic engagement from contractors at our training sessions,” said Nadison. “These proactive measures are helping to keep damage incidents low. It’s encouraging to see such strong participation, and we remain committed to providing more training and support across the province.”
British Columbians are reminded to contact BC 1 Call at least three business days before digging by visiting www.bc1c.ca or calling 1-800-474-6886. Hand tools should be used to expose gas lines before any mechanical equipment is brought in, and a one-metre safety zone must be maintained around the line.
If you smell rotten eggs or hear gas escaping, stop what you’re doing, leave the area immediately and call 9-1-1 or FortisBC’s 24/7 emergency line at 1-800-663-9911.
