Emergency Evacuation Ordered in Old Fort, British Columbia

Residents of Old Fort, British Columbia, have been ordered to evacuate their homes as geotechnical teams monitor a dangerous, slow-moving landslide. The evacuation order was issued late Monday night by local authorities in the Peace River Regional District of northeastern British Columbia.

Landslide Threatens Infrastructure and Safety

The directive followed reports of significant ground movement and structural cracking approximately five kilometres south of Fort St. John, in an area with a history of landslide activity. The Peace River Regional District stated the potential for a catastrophic landslide poses an immediate danger to life safety.

Evacuation Centre Established

Residents are being directed to relocate to the emergency reception centre at the Pomeroy Sports Centre in Fort St. John. Officials have warned that once the primary access road is closed, it will not be reopened until the area is deemed secure by professional inspectors.

No Services for Defiant Residents

The regional district has clarified that no emergency services, infrastructure support, or public safety provisions will be available to individuals who choose to remain in their residences. This underscores the severity of the threat as geotechnical teams work to analyze ground stability.

History of Landslide Activity

This incident echoes a major landslide in 2018 that decimated the only reliable road connecting Old Fort to the rest of the province. That event led to a full-scale evacuation of the community’s 150 residents and highlighted the region’s geological vulnerability.

Ongoing Monitoring and Future Assessments

The Peace River Regional District is utilizing social media to provide updates, emphasizing the ongoing monitoring by geotechnical experts. Future reports from the Ministry of Forests and Lands are expected to address potential remediation or long-term stabilization measures.