With current evacuation orders in place in the Peace Region, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is working with partners in local municipalities to provide Emergency Support Services (ESS) for residents who are under an Evacuation Order.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MAY 17, 2023

What does ESS provide?

• Assistance with lodging, food, medications and other essential needs while under an Evacuation Order
• Information to assist with returning home when the Evacuation Order is cancelled
• Other assistance and resources as needed
• If you are planning to stay at a campsite or hotel, you need to register with ESS to receive a voucher to pay for your accommodation.

Evacuee Registration Assistance Tool

If you are arranging for your own lodging and other service, it is still important to register with ESS. You can also register online and then go to a Reception Centre.

Online registration: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

Where to go for Emergency Support Services

ESS Reception Centres are set up in the communities listed below, and residents who are under an Evacuation Order can choose their preferred location. Please register with ESS, even if you have arranged for your own lodging, as this ensures you have access to ESS for vouchers for food or other essential items, or if further assistance is needed in future.

Fort St John

May 16, 2023 Hours: open until 6:00 pm

May 17, 2023 Hours: 1:00 to 5:00 pm

Reception Centre Location: North Peace Arena, 9805 96 Avenue, Fort St John

Phone: 250-794-3310

Services Available:

• Please note – there are no hotels available in Fort St John
• Vouchers for food and/or campsites
• Assistance with filling prescriptions

Dawson Creek

May 16, 2023 Hours: open until 6:00 pm

May 17, 2023 Hours: open from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Reception Centre Location: Co-op Mercer Hall, Ovintiv Events Centre, #1 – 300 Highway 2, Dawson Creek

Services Available:

• Vouchers for campsites, hotels and food in Dawson Creek

Chetwynd

May 16, 2023 Hours: open until 10:00 pm

May 17, 2023 Hours: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Reception Centre Location: Chetwynd Recreation Centre, 4552 North Access Road, Chetwynd

Phone: 250-556-4173

Services Available:

• Vouchers for campsites, hotels and food in Chetwynd

Prince George

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm

Reception Centre Location: Kin Lounge, 2187 Ospika Blvd, Prince George

Phone: 778-675-3735

Services Available:

• Vouchers for campsites, hotels and food in Prince George

ESS FAQ’s

• I don’t need a place to stay or any food, do I need to register with Emergency Support Services?

You do not need to register for ESS, but it helps to give the responding agencies an idea of how many people have evacuated and a way to contact you if we need to do so.

• I can’t make it to the reception centre before it closes, is there a phone number I can call?Yes, you can call the reception centre in Fort St John at 250-794-3310 or Chetwynd at 250-556-4173 if you are still in the Peace Region.  If you have left the Peace Region for Prince George, call Prince George ESS at 778-675-3735.

• I have a place to stay, but need some support with food. Can ESS help while I am evacuated?Yes you can receive vouchers for groceries or restaurants if you are evacuated, but you must register at a reception centre to receive these services.

• I have arranged my own hotel or campsite, can I be reimbursed for this cost?

Only those that have registered with ESS and have received a referral to a hotel or campsite, will have these services paid for by ESS.  ESS cannot reimburse anyone for expenses that they have incurred.

• I left my home without my medication. Is there anyone who can help me?

ESS may be able to help you connect with Northern Health to get you your prescriptions.

How to reach the PRRD:

• PRRD Public Emergency Info Line: 250-219-5210
• PRRD Emergency Info Email: emergency-info@prrd.bc.ca

May 8, 2023 – 1800hrs (6:00 p.m.)

Evacuation Status

• The Evacuation Alerts and Orders remain in place for the Boundary Lake and Red Creek Fire, and we are monitoring the situation closely.
• Residents under Evacuation Orders: Please check in at the Reception Centre at the North Peace Arena – 9805 96 Avenue, Fort St John. The hours at the Reception Centre vary daily; however, you can also call 250-794-3310 after hours for Emergency Support Service.
• The Reception Centre assists evacuees with support such as lodging, medical needs and other immediate support needs.

Boundary Lake Wildfire Evacuation Overview	Red Creek Wildfire Evacuation Overview

Structural Protection Units (SPUs) – Red Creek Wildfire

BC Wildfire Services has advised us that they will be placing Structure Protection Units (SPUs) on both sides of Highway 97 for the Red Creek Wildfire. This is a precautionary measure in case of unexpected changes in the fire situation.

To learn more about SPUs, please click here.

Temporary Entry Permits for Evacuation Areas: Process Now in Place

• Temporary entry permits are for essential personnel only – people who have a legitimate need to temporarily enter evacuated areas, such as to take care of livestock, monitor oil gas facilities or other critical service requirements.
• To apply for a permit to temporarily enter an area under an Evacuation Order, please click here or by calling 250-784-4832 prior to 5 p.m.
• The PRRD Emergency Operations Centre and BC Wildfire will screen the applications and will assess safety risks. Permits will be authorized on a case-by-case basis. The goal is to review applications for next-day access. The applications must be submitted prior to 5 p.m. to be approved for the next day.

Please Stay Away from Evacuated Areas

• We are hearing reports of people venturing into the wildfire area and other areas affected by the evacuation order – including driving on roads in the area that are needed for crews.
• This is impeding the response and putting their lives – and the lives of firefighters at risk. Let’s all do our part to keep everyone as safe as possible and avoid any actions that interfere with suppressing these fires.

How to Stay Informed

We all have a role to play in these types of emergencies. BC Wildfire leads the fire response. The PRRD and our partners, like the City of Fort St John, lead the evacuations and support for evacuees through Emergency Support Services, and the provincial government and Northern Health provide advisories and information on health concerns such as smoke and air quality.

• We will do our best to share regular updates on the evacuation and pass along information posted by the other organizations involved in the response through our social media channels.
  • A great way for our residents to stay informed is by signing up for North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts. We use these alerts to share emergency updates and to advise residents in our region about when there is an Evacuation Alert or Order for your area. If we can reach you, we can notify you!
  • We are sharing updates on Facebook and Twitter
  • News updates, Evacuation Orders and Alerts, maps and other information is being posted at prrd.bc.ca
• For information about the status of the wildfire response, please see BC Wildfire’s updates:
  • Active Wildfires
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

BC Wildfire Service has updated the Hasler Flats wildfire (G71148) as a “Wildfires of Note”, due to its interest from the public and from the visibility from Highway 97. The wildfire is currently estimated at 75.0 hectares in size, and no values (structures) are at risk at this time. BC Wildfire has firefighters/crews, helicopters, and heavy equipment on scene.

Currently, Hasler Road is closed from 0-26kms due to risk to public safety. Please be advised to drive with caution as more heavy traffic will be on public roads.

Find more information and updates from #BCWildfire by visiting: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=885

Residents are reminded to sign up for North East BC Emergency alerts. It takes minutes and can be crucial in an emergency. Download the app by searching ‘Everbridge’ wherever you get your apps, or register online at nebcalerts.com

A Flood Watch has been issued by the BC River Forecast Centre for the Peace Region. Forecasting indicates the greatest risk of flooding is in the West Peace. Sand and Sandbags are available at the Moberly Lake Fire Hall, Iver Johnson Community Park, and at the highway yard in the Wildmare.

For more information about flooding visit here.

Due to the recent flooding in Rolla, the PRRD has delivered sand and sandbags to the Rolla Bible Baptist Church (617 400 Ave) for residents to use. The sand and sandbags are a first-come first-served basis, and are self-served – don’t forget to bring a shovel to fill the sandbags! Not sure how to make a sandbag dike? Please review the infographic here.

If you notice the supplies are beginning to get low, please call the PRRD at 250-784-3200!

There has been a landslide on the Sukunka River upstream the 6-mile bridge. Significant water backup is occurring as well as debris accumulation. Please be advised not to swim downstream of the blockage, or launch boats into the area. At this time there is no risk to infrastructure or property. We are actively monitoring the situation. And will update accordingly.

We will be sending notifications through the Northeast BC Emergency Alert system, as well as posts to social media. We strongly suggest signing up for NEBC Alerts, you can do so by clicking here.

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Peace River Regional District at 250-784-3200.

MESSAGE FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BC:

Disaster Financial Assistance has been declared for the Peace River Regional District – including all first nation communities, electoral (rural) areas and municipalities within the geographic boundaries of this regional district.

Landslides and major flooding in the Northeast Region from June 14 – July 13, 2020, have caused property and content damages. As a result of the damages sustained from this event, provincial Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) has been authorized for qualifying claimants, such as homeowners, residential tenants, small business owners, farmers, charitable organizations and local government bodies, who were unable to obtain insurance to cover these disaster-related losses.

Applications

Information about Disaster Financial Assistance is available on the DFA website at http://www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance.  There you will find:

• the DFA Application Form, ‘Disaster Financial Assistance Guidelines for Private Sector’,
• information bulletins about DFA and insurance, and
• ‘One Step at a time – A Guide to Disaster Recovery’.

Starting the afternoon of Monday, July 20, 2020 paper copies of the DFA applications may also be picked up at the following Peace River Regional District offices for those who may not have access to a computer:

• South Peace: 1981 Alaska Avenue, Dawson Creek
• North Peace: 9505-100^th Street, Fort St John (at the North Peace Leisure Pool)

Emergency Management BC strongly encourages people to submit their application as soon as possible so that they can have the damage assessment completed promptly, the deadline for EMBC to receive this form is October 16, 2020. As applications are received at the Emergency Management BC office, EMBC contracted evaluators will contact the applicants to explain the DFA program requirements and schedule an onsite visit.

SAVE ALL RECEIPTS even if you have already spent money to repair your home or property!

What is DFA?

• Disaster Financial Assistance is a provincial program to help individuals and local governments recover from uninsurable disasters. DFA is administered by Emergency Management BC, part of the Ministry of Justice.
• The purpose of DFA is to provide assistance to individuals for their principal residence and to help small business/farm owners when their livelihood is at risk. The DFA program operates under the Emergency Program Act and the ensuing Compensation and Disaster Financial Assistance Regulation.  The DFA program is obliged to provide compensation in compliance with this legislation.
• DFA eligibility criteria, as defined in the Act and the Regulation, have been applied consistently and fairly throughout the province since 1995.

When is DFA available?

• DFA is available in the event of a disaster in respect of which the minister, or designate, has determined that disaster financial assistance may be provided.
• When this determination is made, EMBC defines the eligible dates and geographic locations, notifies affected local governments, posts this information on its website, publishes information in local papers, and if requested attends community meetings.

Who is eligible for DFA?

Local Governments and individuals in the private sector in the following categories are eligible:

Homeowner

• Must be for the residence that is occupied by the individual as their home, where the majority of their personal effects are located, and the residence for which they received the provincial Home Owner Grant or were entitled to receive this grant.

Residential Tenant

• Must be the residence that is occupied by the individual as their home and where the majority of their personal effects are located.

Small Business Owner

• Must be the owner of a business that is managed by the applicant on a day to day basis, is the owner’s major source of income, has gross sales of less than $1 million per year, and employs less than 50 people at any one time.

Farmer

• Must be the owner of a farm operation that is identified by the BC Assessment Authority as an agricultural operation, is owned and operated by a person whose full-time employment is as a farmer, and is the means by which the applicant derives the majority of their income.

Charitable Organization

• Must be a not-for-profit charitable organization that provides a benefit or service to the community at large, has been in existence for at least 12 months, and is registered under the Society Act.

What is eligible for DFA?

• DFA can compensate individuals for 80% of eligible claims, after the first $1,000 to a maximum claim of $300,000.
• DFA is only for uninsurable losses and for losses where there is no other program offered by local, provincial, federal or international governments or agencies.
• DFA is available for essential items only. It provides or reinstates the necessities of life, including help to repair and restore damaged homes and to re-establish or maintain the viability of small businesses and working farms. Loss of land or damage to land (except for some farmland) is not eligible for DFA.
• Additional information about the DFA Program and specifics re eligible applicants, eligible losses and application process is available at the Disaster Financial Assistance Website

Old Fort Community – Return To Home

Help us reach you quickly in an emergency: To be notified of urgent or emergency information by SMS text, and/or email and/or a voice phone call , sign up as an Old Fort resident on the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system. Be sure you sign up with your Old Fort address – We can’t help you if we can’t reach you.

Old Fort Road News

As of 4:00 pm, Thursday, July 16, Old Fort Road re-opened for 24/7 use by all vehicle types.
Work continues around the new road access to improve drainage; expect minor delays during the work day. Weather permitting, on Monday, July 20, road construction crews will treat the new road access with a base stabilization/brine coating. News release from MoTI.

Termination of Emergency Services For Old Fort Residents

Emergency Support Services (ESS): Emergency Support Services (ESS) for lodging, food and other needs ends today, Friday, July 17. No further support services are available.

Emergency Water Taxi: Docks are being removed today. The water taxi service will continue to run until 9:00 pm today, Friday, July 17. Residents must remove any vehicles remaining at Peace Island Park before that time; no overnight security will be in place at Peace Island Park after 9:00 pm today, Friday, July 17. Water taxi service hotline: 250-271-0366.

Emergency Utility Services: All emergency utility services (water, sewage, garbage) have already been discontinued. PRRD has made arrangements to securely store related infrastructure so that it can be rapidly mobilized in the future.

Professional assessments of the slide and surrounding areas

Peace River Regional District (PRRD) requested commentary from geotechnical professionals responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Old Fort Road and slide, surrounding crown lands, and the community. See the Resources for Old Fort Residents page for more information.

Daily Update Changes

There will no longer be a daily update for the Old Fort Landslide unless there are any significant changes. Previous updates with information will remain on the Peace River Regional District “Emergency News” webpage, “Resources for Old Fort Slide Residents” webpage, and the “Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Updates” webpage.

To find up to date information on the road, please check:

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Drive BC

Website

Twitter

Old Fort Community – Return To Home

Old Fort Road Re-Opens For All Vehicles

As of 4:00 pm today, Thursday, July 16, Old Fort Road is once again open 24/7 for all vehicle types.
Construction activity today and over the next few work days may cause occasional traffic disruptions of up to 20 minutes as additional work on or around the roadway is completed.

Termination of Emergency Services For Old Fort Residents

Emergency Support Services (ESS): Emergency Support Services (ESS) for lodging, food and other needs ends on Friday, July 17. No further support services are available.

Emergency Water Taxi: The water taxi service will continue to run until 9:00 pm Friday, July 17. Residents must remove any vehicles remaining at Peace Island Park before that time; no overnight security will be in place at Peace Island Park after 9:00 pm Friday, July 17. Water taxi service hotline: 250-271-0366.

Emergency Utility Services: All emergency utility services (water, sewage, garbage) have already been discontinued. PRRD has made arrangements to securely store related infrastructure so that it can be rapidly mobilized in the future.

Professional assessments of the slide and surrounding areas

Peace River Regional District (PRRD) requested commentary from geotechnical professionals responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Old Fort Road and slide, surrounding crown lands, and the community.

Ministry of Transportation – Road and Slide Impacts On The Road
Currently the instrumentation is showing negligible movement for all parts of the slide and the road is safe for public use. The ravelling that is occurring on the steep scarp beside the ridge will continue but any failure there would not be able to make it down to the road. It will land on the top part of the flow part of the slide. The only thing that the road will do in the future is move towards the river if the flow part of the slide re-activates the same way it has done for the last two episodes. It is near impossible to predict when the slide will start moving again, but the instrumentation is there and will continue to be monitored. There is nothing to indicate anything catastrophic would happen to the road.

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development – Surrounding Crown Lands
Ongoing monitoring of the eastern landslide complex continues to show negligible displacement. Ravelling of the upper scarps will likely be restricted to the upper part of the earth flow, and movement of the main slide is generally directed away from the community. Should the earthflow reactivate, peak movement is not expected to be greater than 3 to 4 meters per hour.

Tetra Tech – On behalf of PRRD, for the Old Fort community
Tetra Tech is of the opinion at this time that the risk to the community posed by recent Old Fort slide movements is low. When slide movements occur, they are generally directed away from the community. East or southeast components of the movements are typically smaller-scale and slower-moving. No reactivation of the West Slide mass has been observed. Fresh onset of movement is difficult to predict and circumstances can change quickly, depending on external factors such as water ingress, changed groundwater flow patterns, weather, anthropogenic processes, etc. Despite this, should renewed movements occur, and should such movements pose a risk to the community, sufficient time to evacuate or respond would be available, provided that ongoing slide monitoring systems remain active and regularly monitored, and provided that alert/alarm notifications are distributed to us and the Regional District.

Help us reach you quickly in an emergency: To be notified of urgent or emergency information by SMS text, and/or email and/or a voice phone call , sign up as an Old Fort resident on the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system. Be sure you sign up with your Old Fort address – We can’t help you if we can’t reach you.

Daily Update Changes

As of July 13, 2020, there will no longer be a daily update at 3:00 pm for the Old Fort Landslide unless there are any significant changes. Previous updates with information will remain on the Peace River Regional District “Emergency News” webpage, “Resources for Old Fort Slide Residents” webpage, and the “Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Updates” webpage.

To find up to date information on the road, please check:

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Drive BC

Website

Twitter

Emergency Support Services (ESS) extended to current ESS recipients until Friday, July 17.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Dawson Road Maintenance have been making great progress on the Old Fort Road, however, the road may not be suitable for low clearance vehicles until mid to end of next week.  As a result, ESS will be extended until July 17 when it is anticipated that all vehicle types will be able to utilize the road.  PRRD EOC staff will be contacting all current ESS recipients to determine if ESS renewals are required.

Water, Sewer & Garbage Disposal Services

The PRRD through R&R Rentals will be terminating water, sewer and garbage disposal services at end of day today, Saturday, July 11 as water/garbage/sewage haulers with high ground clearance are able to use the temporary road starting today.  To obtain service prior to the end of the day on Saturday call 250-271-0366.

Water Taxi Services

Water taxi services will continue until the Old Fort Road is able to accommodate low clearance vehicles next week. A minimum of 24 hours notice will be provided at the boat launches that service will be terminating.  To find out if water taxi services are operating call 250-271-0366 and continue to follow our website, Facebook Page and sign up for North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts.

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020 Flyer

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Page Update

No update was received from MoTI on July 11, 2020.  To review all previous updates check: prrd.bc.ca/resources-for-old-fort-slide-residents/moti-updates/ 

Current Road Situation – as of 10:00 am

• The temporary access road opened at 08:00 pm Thursday, July 9 for 4×4 pickups.
• The temporary access road is available for 4×4 use and essential services use 24/7 subject to construction or weather closures.
• The temporary access road is currently single lane only.
• 24/7 traffic control points have been established on the road at either end of the slide.
• Construction crews are generally active between 07:00 am – 06:00 pm.
• Expect up to 20-minute road access interruptions while construction continues.
• Swamp mats are being installed on the temporary access road today; when this work is completed later in the day, high clearance vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 26,100kg may pass over the road. Residents should schedule essential service deliveries starting Saturday.
• The road (before and after swamp-mat installation) is suitable for 4×4 pickups and similar vehicles. Passenger cars, vans and light-duty SUVs should not use the temporary access road.

Road Plans

• In the coming days (ETA Monday/Tuesday) an all-weather, all-vehicle gravel surface will be placed on the road.
• Construction crews generally work from 07:00 am – 05:00 pm.
• Expect up to 20-minute road access interruptions while construction continues.
• We are hopeful that access for all vehicles will be in place by Wednesday/Thursday next week.
• PRRD will continue to update residents on road status and plans.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Update as of 3:00 pm

Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services (ESS) will be extended to current ESS recipients until Friday, July 17.  The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Dawson Road Maintenance have been making great progress on the Old Fort Road, however, the road may not be suitable for low clearance vehicles until mid to end of next week.  As a result, ESS will be extended until July 17 when it is anticipated that all vehicle types will be able to utilize the road.  PRRD EOC staff will be contacting all current ESS recipients to determine if ESS renewals are required.

Water, Sewer & Garbage Disposal Services

The PRRD through R&R Rentals will be terminating water, sewer and garbage disposal services at end of day on Saturday, July 11 as water/garbage/sewage haulers with high ground clearance will be able to use the temporary road starting Saturday, July 11.  To obtain service prior to the end of the day on Saturday call 250-271-0366.

Water Taxi Services

Water taxi services will continue until the Old Fort Road is able to accommodate low clearance vehicles next week. A minimum of 24 hours notice will be provided at the boat launches that service will be terminating.  To find out if water taxi services are operating call 250-271-0366 and continue to follow our website, Facebook Page and sign up for North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts.

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020 Flyer

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Page Update

An update from MoTI has been posted here: prrd.bc.ca/resources-for-old-fort-slide-residents/moti-updates/ 

Temporary Access Road Opening Today, Thursday, July 9, at 8:00 pm

There’s other information for the community in today’s daily situation report.

• MoTI construction crews are on-target for an 08:00 pm opening of a temporary road across the Old Fort landslide. Please be aware:
  • Traffic control points will be established this evening on either side of the slide.
  • The temporary road is currently single-lane.
  • The temporary road is currently only suitable for 4×4 vehicles.
  • The temporary road currently is not all-weather. If it rains this evening a road closure may be necessary.
• Continued construction is planned for tomorrow, Friday July 10th. Expect access interruptions while efforts to improve the temporary road are underway.
• The PRRD Emergency Water Taxi service continues to operate until further notice on its normal daily schedule, 05:00 am – 09:00 pm. Security oversees overnight parking at the Peace Island Park terminus.

Flagger No Longer Stationed Near Vehicles On Fort St John Side

Residents parking their vehicles on the Fort St. John side of the slide have always done so at their own risk.

• No security for resident vehicles had ever been established on Old Fort Road near the slide.
• For traffic safety reasons a MoTI flagger had been coincidentally located on Old Fort Road on the Fort St. John side of the slide.
• This flagger has now been removed by MoTI as the position is no longer required to address road safety concerns.

For accurate and up-to-date information residents should check our daily situation reports (like this one) and the Resources for Old Fort Slide Residents page for details on available services, contact information, advisories and more.

Temporary Access Route:

• Temporary access route construction continues, and progress is encouraging. The latest MoTI update and archives are always available here.
• Timeline for opening is weather dependent but crews are hopeful that residents will have access before the weekend.
• Traffic control will be in place 24/7 once the temporary road is opened.
• Check the PRRD Emergency News page for updates and subscribe to our SMS/email emergency alert system to be quickly notified when access is restored.

Situation Report as of 3:00 pm July 9:

The community remains on an emergency footing. Residents should conserve water and limit the production of garbage.

• Emergency Water Taxi Service: Operational 05:00 am – 09:00 pm daily unless operations become unsafe due to thunderstorms, fog or river conditions. In adverse weather contact 250-271-0366 to see if the service is paused.
• Emergency water supplies: Delivery is ongoing in the community – contact 250-271-0366 if you have not already scheduled assistance. Out of an abundance of caution a boil water advisory is issued. An advisory is just that – advice, not a legal requirement, and is similar to the understanding many homeowners have with their regular water haulers. To learn more about the emergency water delivery service and the precautions taken, see water service page for details.
• Emergency garbage services: Operational. Please see the resource page for restrictions and service details.
• Weather: 70% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon, showers this evening. Fog developing overnight may impact water taxi in the early morning. Chance of showers Friday evening and increased chance of showers Saturday.

Addressing Some Concerns Heard

Community scuttlebutt may not be accurate. For accurate and up-to-date information residents should check our daily situation reports (like this one) and the Resources for Old Fort Slide Residents page for details on available services, contact information, advisories and more. We’re here to provide answers wherever we can.

• I was told by someone that a road would be freely available this morning.  Sadly, unfounded. Neither MoTI nor PRRD has published any ETA on temporary road access until today’s update. It’s our collective hope that access will be in place before the weekend, but what that access looks like will be determined by weather and the construction situation on the ground. For reliable information, check the PRRD Emergency News page for updates and subscribe to our SMS/email emergency alert system to be quickly notified when access is restored.
• Will the water taxi, or water delivery service, be cancelled after today? No. We will maintain services as necessary until a reliable access route is in place.
• What type of vehicle will the access route support? We’ve made it clear that the community can not end its current emergency footing until vehicles of all types can cross the slide. We should expect to see improving capability as construction continues, with universal vehicle access becoming feasible once a surface is placed on the temporary access route.  An ETA and other details will be published as weather and construction progress allows. In the meantime, the PRRD Emergency Water Taxi service continues to provide safe access to the community and security for vehicles left overnight at the Peace Island Park terminus.
• Why are we providing emergency utility services such as water, sewage and garbage removal? The timeline for a universal access road across the slide is even today still not known with certainty, although the start of construction brings justifiable optimism that an ETA for universal access will be known soon. In the meantime the PRRD Emergency  Operations Centre’s primary focus has always been to reduce suffering by way of maintaining as much of the community in place as possible.
• Was there security provided for vehicles parked on the Fort St. John side of the slide? Who employed that resource and why is that resource now gone?  No, as noted in our July 9 05:00 special update on the temporary road opening,  residents parking their vehicles on the Fort St. John side of the slide have always done so at their own risk. MoTI has repeatedly cautioned that it was not safe to cross the slide by any means. For traffic safety reasons only, a flagger employed by MoTI/their contractor had been coincidentally located on Old Fort Road on the Fort St. John side of the landslide. As of July 9 this flagger has been removed by MoTI as the position is no longer required to address their road safety concerns. This flagger was not a PRRD or R&R Rentals resource.

Updated at 6:40 pm, July 8

Late in the day MoTI issued a news release announcing today’s construction efforts: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TRAN0102-001247

Old Fort residents affected by the landslide: The best place to find information is the resource page for Old Fort residents . There you’ll find services details, contact information, advisories and more.

Temporary Access Route:

• Temporary access route now under construction: Following drying, observation and analysis of the slide mass, MoTI today started construction of a temporary emergency access route across the slide. Construction is expected to take 1 – 2 days; updates will be provided when available. The latest MoTI update and archives are always available here.

Situation Report as of 3:00 pm July 8:

The community remains on an emergency footing. Residents should conserve water and limit the production of garbage.

• Emergency Water Taxi Service: Operational.
• Emergency water supplies: Delivery is ongoing. Out of an abundance of caution, a boil water advisory is issued – see the resource page for details.
• Emergency garbage services: Please see the resource page for restrictions and service details.
• MoTI: Temporary access route construction started Wednesday July 8.
• Weather: Change of thundershower today; Showers are expected today Thursday.

The best place detailed information of relevance to Old Fort residents affected by the 2020 landslide incident is the resource page for Old Fort residents . There you’ll find services details, contact information, on-going advisories and more.

Status as of 3:00 pm July 7:

• The community remains on an emergency footing. Residents should conserve water and limit the production of garbage.
• MoTI planning and preparation for access road construction continues; a significant rainfall event triggered the 2020 slide; assessment of the impacts of significant rainfall this past week are ongoing. Currently no reliable estimate exists for completion of an emergency access route for essential services and residents across the slide. The latest MoTI update and archives are always available here.
• A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued by Environment Canada for the Fort St. John Area. Showers are expected Thursday.
• Staging and construction for emergency water delivery operations has begun – we expect to begin deliveries Wednesday. Out of an abundance of caution, a boil water advisory is issued – see the resource page for details.
• Emergency garbage services have commenced. Please see the resource page for restrictions and service details.

Reminder: The resource page for Old Fort residents has been updated with contact phone numbers and service information for all emergency services (Emergency Support Services, water taxi, garbage, and more) being provided to sustain the community and those who have self-evacuated. Make this your first stop for service information.

Current Status:

• The community remains on an emergency footing. Residents should conserve water and limit the production of garbage.
• MoTI planning and preparation for access road construction continues; a significant rainfall event triggered the 2020 slide; assessment of the impacts of significant rainfall this past week are ongoing. Currently no reliable estimate exists for completion of an emergency access route for essential services and residents across the slide. The latest MoTI update and archives are always available here.
• The resource page for Old Fort residents has been updated with contact phone numbers and service information for all emergency services (Emergency Support Services, water taxi, garbage, and more) being provided to sustain the community and those who have self-evacuated. Make this your first stop for service information.
• Weather will be unsettled with a risk of thunderstorm activity both today and Tuesday. The seven-day forecast shows some drying Thursday and Friday.
• Helicopter operations between 4 pm and 5 pm today – material will be long-lined into and out of the community; please avoid the area near Old Fort Road and River Drive.
• Staging for emergency water delivery operations has begun – we expect to begin deliveries late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
• Emergency garbage services have commenced. Please see the resource page for restrictions and service details.

Current Status

Old Fort remains cut off from standard essential services delivery. The community remains on an emergency footing.

Residents should continue to conserve water and reduce garbage and sewage wherever possible. Emergency supplies and services will be provided when feasible.

• Weather: may be unsettled and there’s a risk of thundershower activity both Sunday evening and Monday afternoon. Tuesday through Thursday are expected to be generally drier.
• Emergency Water Taxi Service: resumed regular operations today at 05:00 AM with services hourly at either terminus until 09:00 PM, seven days a week.
• Emergency Garbage Service: commenced operations over the weekend. No prohibited items are permitted. No construction waste will be accepted. Only bagged household garbage will be accepted going forward.
• Staging for other utility services: has begun. Check Monday’s daily update for more details.
• ESS Renewals: clients are being contacted; where applicable, renewals are in place for the next 1 week period starting Monday.
• Access Route Construction: while planning for a new crossing continues without pause, heavy rains from Thursday through most of the weekend have impacted the construction timeline and it will take time before the impacts of the rain and geo-technical reviews can be completed and understood. At this time, no one can predict the completion date of an access route. See MoTI’s Monday update for the latest information.
• Helicopter Operations Monday: please stay back from the area near 9416 Old Fort Road (see image below) during Monday afternoon (July 6) and away from open fields in the community whenever you see a helicopter in the area. No landings are planned. Materials will be long-lined into and out of the community; you’ll see operations on the Old Fort Road right of way.

If you didn’t see Friday’s Daily Update, please check it out – there’s a lot of new and updated information contained within it.

Highlights for today:

• Weather –Risk of thundershowers through this evening with showers ending Sunday morning. Sunny Monday.
• Emergency Water Taxi Service – will resume on Sunday, July 5 at 05:00 am
• Important Contact Numbers – for ESS, for In-Community Services and the Emergency Operations Centre.
• ESS Renewals – The Peace River Regional District ESS team will be calling evacuated residents and arranging renewals for next week.
• Emergency Alert System – Be notified quickly when things are happening.

Emergency Water Taxi Service

Updated 8:00 pm July 4th

With weather expected to improve and upstream debris removal operations making progress, water taxi service will resume Sunday, July 5 at 5:00 am.  Subject to weather and river conditions, the water taxi service runs on the hour from both Old Fort and Peace Island Park locations, from 05:00 am through 09:00 pm.

To see if the boats are running Sunday or Monday, before you head to the Old Fort or Peace Island Park dock locations call the Emergency Water Taxi & In-Community Services 24-Hour Hotline at: 250-271-0366.

Important Contact Numbers

Who to call, and for what

• Emergency Support Services: If you need lodging and other support because you cannot remain in the community due to dwindling supplies, lack of safe access or other concerns, contact the PRRD Emergency Support Services team at:  250-219-0447
• Water Taxi and In-Community Services 24-Hour Hotline: Our service delivery partner R+R Rentals can answer your water taxi and other in-community service questions 24/7 at: 250-271-0366.
• PRRD Emergency Operations Centre: messages can be left for the EOC Director at 250-784-3201 Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. If you observe something we should be aware of or have a concern you don’t think we’ve addressed, please contact us. Remember – any and all emergencies should be reported first to 911.

Emergency Support Services Renewals

As noted in yesterday’s update, we’re hopeful to see some form of emergency access road over the slide later in the week; we’ll continue to keep the community updated as geo-technical review and work on the ground progresses. We also expect the Emergency Water Taxi Service to return to regular operation within the next 48 hours, providing regular, safe, access to the community.

If you need help leaving the community, see our plan utilizing North Peace Search and Rescue, detailed in yesterday’s update,or call ESS for the details.

The PRRD ESS team will be contacting evacuated residents Saturday and Sunday to arrange for their ESS renewals for the coming week. They can also be reached Monday through Friday, 1pm to 4pm, at the ESS Help Line:  250-219-0447.

Emergency Alert System

Get Important Old Fort Service Notices and Emergency Alerts by SMS Text, Telephone, or E-Mail

Help us reach you in times of emergency, or when we are aware of key service interruptions such as the water taxis being pulled from the water.

The PRRD North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system will send Old Fort-specific alerts, warnings and notices to your cell phone, landline and email inbox – it’s your choice how they get delivered. Let’s make it a goal to get 100% of the households and residents of Old Fort connected – sign up here to our North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts (powered by Everbridge) system.

OLD FORT DAILY UPDATE

There is a lot of new information in today’s update – please take a moment to read it all, and share it with others in the community.

Quick Summary

• The regular water taxi service is suspended until further notice due to safety concerns. The service will restart as soon as is safely possible.
• Evacuation from Old Fort for those out of essential supplies or in distress – an escorted evacuation method and ESS support plan has been developed for members wishing to leave the Old Fort community until regular access is restored.
• Emergency Support Services – get the new contact information for ESS below.
• Temporary Access Road – rough estimates, subject to weather and slide performance, for an emergency access road to the community.
• River Status – GENERALLY UNSAFE as heavy rains and thundershower activity have extended freshet-like conditions across the region, impacting Old Fort

Water Taxi Service

Debris and high water flows have forced the cancellation of the hourly PRRD Emergency Water Taxi service between Old Fort and Peace Island Park. Service will be restored as soon as is safely possible.

To be notified by SMS text, call, and/or email of water taxi service resumption or service interruptions, sign up as an Old Fort resident on the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system.

Evacuation for Persons In Distress / Out of Essential Supplies

If you feel you can no longer remain at home due to dwindling supplies or anxiety, escorted access across the slide – during daylight hours only – is available. Supported by North Peace Search and Rescue, search and rescue volunteers – in partnership with the geo-technical review of the slide area – will be tasked to escort residents, with limited belongings, across the slide using an all-terrain vehicle. This is a one-way service – no escorted re-entry will be available.

To arrange this service:

• First, to ensure you have lodging and other supports, contact the Emergency Support Services support number: 250-219-0447
• ESS will arrange hotel and food supports for you and make arrangements with the EOC for the most suitable evacuation method.
• The EOC will task NPSAR; their response time is 1 – 2 hours for this type of planned service so please plan your day accordingly.

Emergency Support Services

The new PRRD ESS team phone number is 250-219-0447 and will remain as such permanently. If you are in need of Emergency Support Services, please contact this number.

Peace River Regional District wishes to thank Fort St John ESS staff and volunteers who have supported Old Fort residents.

Emergency Water, Garbage and Sewage Services

The river situation has hampered our ability to deliver planned emergency water, garbage and sewage services.

While river flows are high and debris is extensive, our work crews will be providing services on an intermittent and only-as-safe basis using fan boats. This is not a replacement for the water taxi service. Trips will be for cargo except when supporting evacuation needs. Persons with vehicles at the Peace Island Park terminus can arrange for transport to their vehicle but there will be no return trip to Old Fort.

Over the next 72 hours the crews will focus on:

• Removing garbage to issues with bears and other wildlife
• Providing water to households in dire need. Note, only a low volume of water delivery is possible by boat.

Note: Only a low volume of water delivery is possible by boat; households concerned should consider evacuating to Fort St. John to receive support from Emergency Support Services until the temporary access road is possible, potentially by later next week.

To be notified by SMS text and/or email of water taxi service resumption or service interruptions, sign up as an Old Fort resident on the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system.

Future Road Access – Tentative Plan

MOTI and its road contractor are currently working on plans and pre-positioning materials and equipment in advance of a dryer weather trend starting Sunday. Geotechnical review of the slide area will determine when it is safe to start construction of what will initially be a temporary, supervised-use, access road. Initially, the road will be used to provide passage for essential services vehicles including household water, garbage and sewage services.

It isn’t likely that active construction of such an access road will be commence until later next week (Wednesday/Thursday);  planning, preparation and staging are ongoing. These are estimates only; weather or slide conditions could impact schedules or halt progress entirely.

We are committed to providing residents with relevant estimates and new information as soon as it is available from MoTI.

A full update from MoTI can be found by clicking here.

River Status – GENERALLY UNSAFE

Residents are advised against launching their boats in the Peace River at this time. PRRD EOC has suspended regular water taxi service until conditions improve. We may run some limited essential services operations using fan boats (no props in the water) if conditions allow for this, but we will not support regular water taxi service using this temporary, emergency, measure.

Heavy rains this past several days and widespread thundershower activity across the region and specifically near Old Fort and Fort St John have resulted in dramatic rises in river levels and debris. There remains significant potential for large volumes of debris in the river; the regular water taxi is suspended until further notice for safety reasons. When service resumes we will provide updates here, on the PRRD Facebook page, and direct via SMS and email to all Old Fort residents who are subscribed to the PRRD North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system.  Only 1/3 of residents are subscribed at present – let’s make that 100% so that all can be alerted of changing or emergency developments now and in the future.

Peace River Regional District Update

The operator of the emergency water taxi servicing Old Fort has suspended services for reasons of safety due to high levels of debris observed in the Peace River between Peace Island Park and Old Fort. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. BC Hydro boat crews have also suspended boat services due to the heavy debris.

It is not safe to cross the Old Fort slide area by any means, at any time.

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre has received reports that residents are starting to construct a switchback trail on the slide with ATV’s, and that slide monitoring posts have been removed. This undermines the measurement and planning work required before the reconstruction of the road can begin. Residents need to remember that the slide is extremely unsafe, and to not disturb any markers or equipment around the slide area.

Environment Canada Update for the Old Fort

The Old Fort and surrounding area are subject to a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Rainfall Warning.

Following heavy rains last night a further 10 – 20mm is expected overnight Thursday with the potential for higher amounts if thundershowers pass over the community and slide. On Friday more showers are expected with amounts of 10-15mm accumulating. Following scattered showers, on Saturday the longer-term outlook is for sunny but potentially unsettled late afternoon weather and showers.

Old Fort Slide: A heavy rainfall event triggered the 2020 Old Fort slide on Thursday, June 18^th. Ground movement or reactivation of the slide is possible at any time during, or even well after, this or any weather event.

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Update

A full update from MOTI can be found by clicking here, but in summary:

• Slide moving at negligible rates at the road; the movement had continued to slow with previously drier conditions.
• The instrumentation on-site is providing accurate measurements to technical staff.
• With an anticipated heavy rainfall between Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, MOTI staff and technical experts will continue to monitor during and following this event for slide activity or any new movement.
• Ponding and flowing water in the eastern crevice of the slide will continue to be monitored.
• We will construct temporary access for the residents of Old Fort as soon as possible.

Emergency Support Services

As of Monday, June 29^th a water taxi service between Peace Island Park and Old Fort was established. Hourly service at either side is available from 5:00 am through 9:00 pm, weather permitting. Going forward, ESS referrals will only be renewed on a case by case basis.

Please be advised of new contact information for Emergency Support Services assistance.

New ESS phone number of 250-219-0447

The ESS hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Please feel free to contact us during those hours if you have any ESS questions or concerns.

Northeast BC Emergency & Public Alerts

Residents are reminded to please sign up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will use this alert system to send out important alerts and updates. Please click here and follow the steps.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

The operator of the emergency water taxi servicing Old Fort has suspended service for reasons of safety due to high levels of debris observed in the Peace River between Peace Island Park and Old Fort.

A North East BC Emergency & Public Alert will go out when service is restored.

Weather Update from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Starting Tuesday night, continuing to Friday night, a moisture-laden weather system is expected across the Peace River Regional District, with heavy rains expected in the Fort St John/Old Fort area. Rainfall amounts of up to 50 – 80 mm are expected; thunderstorm activity, if any, has the potential of adding 15 – 25 mm in short bursts. Rainfall warnings may be issued as the system further develops and confidence in rainfall amounts increases. Residents can check Environment Canada’s website for new updates from Environmental Canada.

Old Fort Slide: A heavy rainfall event triggered the 2020 Old Fort slide on Thursday, June 18^th. Ground movement or reactivation of the slide is possible at any time during, or even well after, this or any weather event.

It is not safe to cross the Old Fort slide area by any means, at any time.

Peace River Regional District Update

Docks at Old Fort and Peace Island Park will be installed today, if not already!

Residents need to be mindful of the rain while boarding the water taxi, as the dock and boats could become slippery. Tent shelters will be placed at the Old Fort and Peace Island Park dock areas, for residents to keep dry while waiting for the water taxi. Please also keep in mind that the boat schedule may be affected by the weather, as they cannot operate in thunder and/or lightning storms.

The water taxi service will run seven days a week from 05:00 AM through 09:00 PM, with pick-up on the hour at the Peace Island Park and the Old Fort docks. Security will be provided from 05:00 PM through 05:00 AM to safeguard vehicles parked overnight at Peace Island Park. A washroom facility will be available at the Peace Island Park terminus. Space aboard the water taxi(s) is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be constrained by COVID-19 physical distancing requirements. Family groupings may travel together.

A garbage disposal schedule will be available tomorrow, July 2, 2020.

Dock Locations for Old Fort and Peace Island Park

Northeast BC Emergency & Public Alerts

Residents are reminded to please sign up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will use this alert system to send out important alerts and updates. Please click here and follow the steps.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

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Weather Update from Environment and Climate Change Canada

Starting Tuesday night, continuing to Friday night, a moisture-laden weather system is expected across the Peace River Regional District, with heavy rains expected in the Fort St John/Old Fort area. Rainfall amounts of up to 50 – 80 mm are expected; thunderstorm activity, if any, has the potential of adding 15 – 25 mm in short bursts on Tuesday (June 30) and Wednesday (July 1). Rainfall warnings may be issued as the system further develops and confidence in rainfall amounts increases. Residents can check weather.gc.ca/warnings/report for new updates from Environmental Canada.

Old Fort Slide: A heavy rainfall event precipitated the 2020 Old Fort slide on Thursday, June 18^th. Ground movement or reactivation of the slide is possible at any time during, or even well after, this or any weather event. It is not safe to cross the Old Fort slide area by any means, at any time.

Peace River Regional District Update

Residents need to be mindful of the rain while boarding the water taxi, as the dock and boats could become slippery. Tent shelters will be placed at the Old Fort and Peace Island Park dock areas, for residents to keep dry while waiting for the water taxi. Please also keep in mind that the boat schedule may be affected by the weather, as they cannot operate in thunder and/or lightning storms.

The water taxi service will run seven days a week from 05:00 AM through 09:00 PM, with pick-up on the hour at the Peace Island Park and the Old Fort docks. Security will be provided from 05:00 PM through 05:00 AM to safeguard vehicles parked overnight at Peace Island Park. A washroom facility will be available at the Peace Island Park terminus. Space aboard the water taxi(s) is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be constrained by COVID-19 physical distancing requirements. Family groupings may travel together.

PRRD and the service operator R+R Rentals will continuously review the service and adjust as needed.

Dock Locations for Old Fort and Peace Island Park

Northeast BC Emergency & Public Alerts

Residents are reminded to please sign up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will use this alert system to send out important alerts and updates. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

 Reaching the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre

There is a new email for the public to reach out to the PRRD EOC for any questions, comments, or concerns. The email is EOC.PublicInfo@prrd.bc.ca and will be monitored Monday – Friday, with exception of the holiday on July 1. Residents can also call the PRRD at 250-784-3200.

If it is an emergency, please call 911.

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Update

• The landslide has moved a 100-metre section of Old Fort Road approximately 300m downslope since the event started Thursday, June 18th.
• Slide moving at negligible rates at the road; movement has continued to slow with drier conditions.
• The instrumentation on-site is providing accurate measurements to technical staff.
• With an anticipated heavy rainfall between Wednesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 2, MOTI staff and technical experts will continue to monitor during and following this event for slide activity or any new movement.
• We will construct temporary access for the residents of Old Fort as soon as possible.

More from MOTI’s update can be found on the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure updates, please go here.

HOW TO REACH THE PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE

There is a new email for the public to reach out to the PRRD EOC for any questions, comments, or concerns. The email is EOC.PublicInfo@prrd.bc.ca and will be monitored Monday – Friday. Residents can also call the PRRD at 250-784-3200.

If it is an emergency, please call 911.

NORTHEAST BC EMERGENCY AND PUBLIC ALERTS

Residents are reminded to please sign up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will use this alert system to send out important alerts and updates. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT UPDATE

WATER TAXI SERVICES

Please note, there will be special operations for June 29, 2020, as there is a public meeting. The Operator will make every effort to accommodate all returning home after the Old Fort residents meeting this evening (residents should depart the meeting no later than 9 pm).

The water taxi service will run seven days a week from 05:00 AM through 09:00 PM. Services will be available hourly at the Peace Island Park dock, and at the Old Fort dock.

The docks will start to be installed on Tuesday, June 30 – at both Old Fort and Peace Island Park.

Security will be provided from 05:00 PM through 05:00 AM to safeguard vehicles parked overnight at Peace Island Park. A washroom facility will be available at the Peace Island Park terminus.

Space aboard the water taxi(s) is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be constrained by COVID-19 physical distancing requirements. Family groupings may travel together.

PRRD and the service operator R+R Rentals will continuously review the service and adjust as needed.

WATER, SEWAGE AND GARBAGE SERVICES

PRRD hopes slide performance will enable MoTI to construct on an occasional basis a temporary access tote road capable of supporting standard-essential services delivery vehicles: Water provision; sewage removal; garbage removal. Failing the timely availability of such a road, the EOC would contract the provision of alternative service delivery:

• Alternative water delivery system adjacent to the lagoon trail north of the subdivision; ETA of installation: 3 – 5 days.
• Alternative garbage solution startup ETA: 1-2 days
• Alternative sewage solution startup: being developed

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE

• The landslide has moved a 100-metre section of Old Fort Road approximately 300m downslope since the event started Thursday, June 18th.
• Slide moving at 0.1m/hr at the road; movement has remained at a similar rate over the past 24 hours.
• The instrumentation on-site is providing accurate measurements to technical staff.
• With the implementation of the water taxi between Old Fort and Peace Island Park to provide consistent access to residents, the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure’s Maintenance Contractor will be removing on-site equipment until such time a road can be constructed.

More from MOTI’s update can be found at: prrd.bc.ca/resources-for-old-fort-slide-residents/moti-updates/

EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES

ESS renewals were provided today, Monday, June 29^th, to all registered. Most residents can now return that the water taxi service is in place, should they feel comfortable to do so. Future ESS referrals will be provided on a case by case basis to accommodate special situations. As of June 25, 57 people registered for ESS.

The slide remains unsafe to cross by any means.

WATER TAXI SERVICE COMMENCING

To support safe access to and egress from the Old Fort Community the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has established a regular water taxi service between Old Fort and the Taylor/Peace Island Park Boat Launch.

Water taxi service will commence at 05:00 AM Monday, June 29, 2020

Important information about Water Taxi Services:

• The water taxi service will run seven days a week from 05:00 AM through 09:00 PM. Security will be provided from 05:00 PM through 05:00 AM to safeguard vehicles parked overnight at Peace Island Park. A washroom facility will be available at the Peace Island Park terminus.
• Space aboard the water taxi(s) is available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be constrained by COVID-19 physical distancing requirements. Family groupings may travel together.
• PRRD and the service operator R+R Rentals will continuously review the service and adjust as needed.

A flyer with this update will be delivered to the Old Fort Residents by R & R Rental company. Those registered with ESS will have this flyer available with the renewal package.

June 28 Resident Flyer

OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES

While the road still remains impassible to essential service vehicles (BC Ambulance, RCMP, Water Delivery, Garbage Pickup, and Sewage) the PRRD EOC and essential services partners have developed plans to provide alternative means of delivery in order to support the needs of the Old Fort community.

BC Ambulance and RCMP have already developed their own means of access to respond to emergencies; the PRRD EOC will shortly be announcing specifics regarding:

• Household water supply,
• Household waste removal, and
• Sewage pumping services.

TO STAY INFORMED

Sign up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will use this alert system to send out important alerts and updates. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

HOW TO REACH THE PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE

There is a new email for the public to reach out to the PRRD EOC for any questions, comments, or concerns. The email is EOC.PublicInfo@prrd.bc.ca and is being monitored Monday – Friday, or call 250-784-3200. If it is an emergency, please call 911.

THE OLD FORT LANDSLIDE IS UNSAFE TO CROSS BY ANY MEANS

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Update

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Update

The Ministry advises the public that it is unsafe to cross the slide by any means.

The Old Fort Slide continues to move at approximately 1 metre per hour. At this time, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is unable to provide the public with safe and reliable access across the slide. A more detailed update from MOTI has been posted to The Ministry Transportation and Infrastructure Updates page.

Peace River Regional District Update

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre would like to update everyone on the services being provided to the Residents of Old Fort Community:

Available today:

• Emergency Support Services (lodging and food supports) for residents choosing to evacuate the area. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
  • As of June 25, 57 people have registered for ESS.

Coming soon:

• Temporary boat dock at Old Fort
• A regularly scheduled water taxi service for persons and material between Old Fort and Taylor
• Household garbage transport from the boat staging area
• Provision of water to Old Fort

In planning:

• Sewage holding tank for residents

There is also a new email for the Public to reach out to the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre, this email is EOC.Pubicinfo@prrd.bc.ca and is being monitored Monday – Friday.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will send out alerts in regards to the landslide area, and important updates/information. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Statement

The slide on Old Fort Road is not safe for the public to cross. The slide continues to adjust to on-going changes and although the movements are currently slowing, it is not possible to continuously monitor and report all site changes and that makes the slide unsafe for the public to cross.

Peace River Regional District Update

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre would like to say thank you to all the residents of Old Fort who filled out the survey that is helping us to plan for water, sewer, garbage and transportation services. We are listening, and we hear you.

Of those households that completed the survey, the PRRD found:

• An understanding that there is a range of sewage holdings in the Old Fort Community, from holding tanks to septic fields, which get pumped out at specific times during the year (every 6 months, once a year, every month, etc.).
• Out of the 33 respondents, 87% of households have a cistern. Of those with a cistern, nearly half said that their cisterns were full or nearly full. However, 3 respondents stated that they will need water provided within 7 days or less.
• For waste disposal, most residents have a garbage bin in the community, either shared with neighbours or for individual household use. Of those respondents, 33% said that they would need a garbage removal service within 7 days.
• We also surveyed folks about their transportation needs and the potential schedule for that service. Respondents stated that at least 8 people would use the water taxi service each day of the week, with some needing the service as early as 6 am and ending as late as 8 pm.

Options are being looked at, and being double checked for all those involved. Once we have our full plan established, we will be posting a map of where the water, sewage, garbage, boat dock, and area for a helicopter landing (for emergencies) will be located within the Old Fort community.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will send out alerts in regards to the landslide area, and important updates/information. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you!

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Emergency Support Services Update

ESS will continue to be available until Monday, June 29, 2020, but only to those who have evacuated.  If the road reopens during this time, ESS will be discontinued. As of June 22, 52 people have registered for ESS. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Peace River Regional District Update

The Emergency Operations Centre is planning for long-term service provision for the residents of Old Fort who are impacted by the road being closed. The first needs assessment survey (distributed on Saturday, June 20) helped us to understand the immediate (first 7 days) needs of the community. This new survey will go into more depth to plan for long-term provision of transportation, water and sewer services. If these services become available, residents should note that they will need to register for services and there may be costs (e.g., pay for water at the same rate that you would usually if the road was open). Residents are encouraged to contact Canada Post to make alternate arrangements for mail delivery.

Please only answer this survey once per household, and please make sure to submit prior to June 24, 2020, at 4:00 pm.

If you are unable to fill out this survey, please call us at 250-784-3200 and we can assist.

You can find the survey link here.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will send out alerts in regards to the landslide area, and important updates/information. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you! 

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Emergency Support Services Update

ESS is only being provided to those that have evacuated from the Old Fort Community and will expire once the road is restored. As of June 23, 52 people have registered for ESS. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Those staying in hotels should have received the extension paperwork, and those billeting can pick up paperwork at the Fort St John City Hall between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.

Peace River Regional District Update

The webpage “Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Updates” has now been published to the PRRD website. This page will have all the MOTI updates that are provided to the PRRD, related to the Old Fort Landslide. The updates may include photos, technical briefings and orthophotos/maps. You can easily find the webpage here.

The Emergency Operations Centre is planning for long-term service provision for the residents of Old Fort who are impacted by the road being closed. The first needs assessment survey (distributed on Saturday, June 20) helped us to understand the immediate (first 7 days) needs of the community. This new survey will go into more depth to plan for long-term provision of transportation, water and sewer services. If these services become available, residents should note that they will need to register for services and there may be costs (e.g., pay for water at the same rate that you would usually if the road was open). Residents are encouraged to contact Canada Post to make alternate arrangements for mail delivery.

If you are unable to fill out this survey, please call us at 250-784-3200 and we can assist. Please only answer this survey once per household, and make sure to submit prior to June 24, 2020, at 4:00 pm. 

You can find the survey link here.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alert System

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will send out alerts in regards to the landslide area, and important updates/information. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you! 

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Emergency Support Services Update

ESS will continue to be available until Monday, June 29, 2020, but only to those who have evacuated.  If the road reopens during this time, ESS will be discontinued. As of June 22, 52 people have registered for ESS. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Those staying in hotels should have received the extension paperwork, and those billeting can pick up paperwork at the Fort St John City Hall between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday.

RCMP and BC Ambulance Statement – Response Delays

Due to the closure of the only road providing access to the community of Old Fort, response times from emergency services (such as RCMP and Ambulance) may be delayed. The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Center highly recommends that any residents with health, medical or any other concerns to self-evacuate and register for ESS.

Statements about the delay from BC Ambulance and Fort St John RCMP are below:

“Please be aware that response times to the Evacuation Alert Area of Old Fort will be considerably delayed due to unstable access routes.

BCEHS will require North Peace Search and Rescue to extricate all patients to a safe staging area or landing zone.

Helicopter responses may be considered during daylight hours, weather permitting.

BCEHS will continue to work with key stakeholders to monitor and minimize the impact.”

-BC Ambulance, Northeast District

“Given the size and scope of the landslide affecting the only road providing access to the community of Old Fort, the Fort St John RCMP’s emergency response to Old Fort has been impacted. FSJ RCMP is actively working with key agencies to ensure access for emergency services; however, service delivery may be delayed.”

-Fort St John Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Update as of 1500 hrs:

Peace River Regional District Updates:

The webpage “Resources for Old Fort Slide Residents” has been moved to the main page of the PRRD website, this has information from the 2018 Landslide event and will also have current landslide information. This page can be quickly found here.

Coming soon to the Peace River Regional District’s website will be a page for all of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure updates related to the Old Fort Slide. The information posted here from MOTI may include photos, technical briefings and orthophotos/maps.

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre is collecting information to examine options for water, sewage, garbage and transportation for the Residents of Old Fort. Staff may be following up with those that have completed the survey.

Residents are reminded to please complete the survey if you have not already done so with the Charlie Lake Fire Department on Saturday, June 20 or online since. You can do the survey following this link here.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts System:

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you! 

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Emergency Support Services Update:

Emergency Support Services will continue to be available until Monday, June 29, 2020, only to those who have evacuated, if the road reopens during this time, ESS will be discontinued. As of June 21, 28 people have registered for ESS. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Paperwork for extensions will be dropped off at hotels and those billeting can pick up paperwork tomorrow at Fort St John City hall between 8:30-4:30 pm this week.

Update as of 1500 hrs:

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Update:

Due to the surficial movement of material on the slope effecting 7711 and 7605 on Old Fort Loop, residents are asked to park to the west of this area. Please look for the no parking signs to identify the safe area to park. No one should be walking on the existing road north of the outhouses.

The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure is leading the assessment of the landslide and currently has a GeoTech on-site, and will be providing updates about this.

Residents are asked to report any signs of slide movement or incidents to the local maintenance contractor, Dawson Road Maintenance Ltd., who can be reached 24/7 at its emergency line: 1-800-842-4122.

Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure’s Geotech has provided a technical briefing regarding the landslide, as well as an updated orthophoto (below).

• Back Scarp (Top of the Slide) – This is the furthest extent that the slide moved up the valley slope in 2018 and it is the same in 2020 and the height of the scarp is approximately 10 m. The movement to date this year is approximately 0.3 m.
• Rotational Slide – the top part of the slide north of what is labelled the “scarp” and includes the area where the gravel stockpiles were in 2018 and is the area where the slide mass is rotating.
• Scarp – an approximately 50 m high near-vertical slope below the area where the gravel stockpiles were in 2018.  It is also the boundary where the slide changes from a rotational failure to a flow slide failure.
• Ridge – a bedrock ridge that is on the eastern edge of where the slide is currently moving.  The GPS monitor on the ridge is showing approximately 6 cm of movement.
• Flow Slide – the portion of the slide that is flowing like a very slow-moving stream.  This is the part of the slide that has moved the most since re-initiating this year.  It has moved 80 to 100 m.

Old Fort Landslide Map – June 21, 2020

Peace River Regional District – Old Fort Resident Needs Assessment Results:

The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre wants to thank all the residents that have completed the Old Fort Assessment survey, either with the Charlie Lake Fire Department or online. The information we collected has been summarized, and now we are going to work on addressing the needs of the residents at Old Fort. As of Sunday, June 21, 2020, the PRRD received 32 survey responses from the residents of Old Fort in regards to their current and future needs.

Of those households surveyed, the Peace River Regional District found that:

• 91% do not have medical or mobility challenges that would impact their ability to leave.
• 91% have enough food and water for the next 7 days.
• 97% will not need sewage disposal in the next 7 days
• 75% will not need water within the next 7 days
• 65% will not need garbage disposal services within the next 7 days.
• 50% of people intend to travel in and out of the community daily using their own means.
• 65% of people will need assistance travelling in and out of the community on a daily or weekly basis
• 13% planned to evacuate the area on June 21/20
• 75% of people with pets would need assistance to evacuate (if evacuation is required)
• 91% of people with livestock would need assistance to evacuate (if evacuation is required)

Residents are reminded to please complete the survey if you have not already done so, please do as soon as you can following the link here.

North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts System:

If you have not signed up for the North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts system, it is strongly suggested you do. Please click here and follow the steps, or call 250-784-3200 and someone can help you sign up over the phone.

If we can reach you, we can notify you! 

Old Fort NEBC Alert 2020

Emergency Support Services Update:

Emergency Support Services will continue to be available until Monday, June 29, 2020, only to those who have evacuated, if the road reopens during this time, ESS will be discontinued. As of June 21, 28 people have registered for ESS. You can register by calling 250-794-3310, Monday – Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Paperwork for extensions will be dropped off at hotels and those billeting can pick up paperwork tomorrow at Fort St John City hall between 8:30-4:30 pm this week.

Peace River Regional District Geotechnical Assessment Update:

In January 2020, the Peace River Regional District engaged the services of Tetra Tech to conduct a study of the Steep Slope Hazard Assessment. As part of this study, Tetra Tech will be conducting a field assessment of the area. Originally the field assessment was scheduled for March or April of 2020, but due to travel restrictions related to COVID-19, this was put on hold. As a result of the reactivated Old Fort Landslide, Tetra Tech is now in the area to conduct field observations and liaise with other geotechnical experts in relation to the study and the current landslide.

Please note that Tetra Tech geotechnical engineers may require access to private property to conduct field assessments during the week of June 21, 2020.  Should Tetra Tech need to access your property they will first knock at your door to let you know they would like to access your property.  If you are not home they will leave this notice on your door.  They will not enter onto any properties without the assistance of property owners if gates are locked.

Please see the letter here for more information: Tetra Tech Authorization to Enter Property

1600 hrs Update: As a result of the 2020 Old Fort landslide, today the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will be conducting a needs assessment to gather information from the residents in the Old Fort Subdivision. Starting at approximately 4:00 pm, members of the Charlie Lake Fire Department (CLFD) will be going door to door to help residents complete a survey to determine their readiness to shelter in place and their essential needs.

The members will also hand out the following documents to the residents:

• North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts
• Evacuation Alerts, Evacuation Orders & Shelter in Place – What is the Difference?
• Old Fort Resident Survey – Online Link
  • This can be done online, or in-person with CLFD – please only submit one survey per address.
• MOTI – Traffic Advisory 

1600 hrs Update: As a result of the 2020 Old Fort landslide, today the Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre will be conducting a needs assessment to gather information from the residents in the Old Fort Subdivision. Starting at approximately 4:00 pm, members of the Charlie Lake Fire Department (CLFD) will be going door to door to help residents complete a survey to determine their readiness to shelter in place and their essential needs.

The members will also hand out the following documents to the residents:

• North East BC Emergency & Public Alerts
• Evacuation Alerts, Evacuation Orders & Shelter in Place – What is the Difference?
• Old Fort Resident Survey – Online Link
  • This can be done online, or in-person with CLFD – please only submit one survey per address.

1130 hrs Update: as The Old Fort Road remains closed, the Peace River Regional District will be doing an assessment for the residents of Old Fort. This assessment will help determine how long the residents will be able to safely shelter in place. The plan is being created and will be available soon.

Emergency Support Services will be available only if you have evacuated; you may register for assistance by calling 250-794-3310 as follows:

Saturday, June 20 – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Sunday, June 21 – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

1930 hrs Update: The Old Fort Road will be closed at 9:00 pm June 19th.  An update on the road will be issued by MOTI on Drive BC at 8:00 am June 20th.

1500 hrs Update: Please see the Transportation Advisory from the Ministry of Transportation regarding Old Fort Road.

2020-06-19 MoTI Transportation Advisory

As of 10:00 AM provided by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure  – The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) is continuing to evaluate the road and will be releasing more information when they have it available. The PRRD will share this update once it has been released. For information on road conditions check Drive BC and the Ministry’s Facebook and Twitter.  For further information about roads, please contact Dawson Road Maintenance – North Peace: 250-262-2600 or 1-800-842-4122.

The Ministry detected localized ground movement on the Old Fort Road late in the evening on June 18, 2020 at approximately 7pm, and closed Old Fort Road overnight as a precaution. There was no movement detected near residents.

Old Fort Road is now open for short periods of time to allow local traffic and essential services through while ministry technical staff assess the road and crews make subsequent repairs.

Issued by the Ministry of Transportation at 11:55 pm:

• The Old Fort Road has been impacted by soil movement which appears to be localized around the road based on observed cracking and ground movement. This has also been confirmed with GPS monitoring data.  There is currently no indication of larger scale movement based on the same GPS monitoring data.
• To keep road users safe, the road will be closed until a geotechnical assessment is completed. Geotech is travelling to site for assessment first thing in the morning.
• Next update at 10:00 AM, June 19th

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• Upon further assessment, the Ministry will advise the Peace River Regional District whether the Old Fort Emergency Plan needs to be activated. 
• Existing evacuation orders and  evacuation alerts remain in effect.  No new evacuation orders or alerts have been issued. Only emergency responders may enter the evacuation order areas. 

For information on road conditions check Drive BC.  For further information please contact the District office at 250 787-3237.

Follow Dawson Road Maintenance on Facebook for updates.

Sign up for Northeast BC Emergency & Public Alerts to stay updated on emergency events in your area.

PRRD Emergency Plan- Old Fort Area V4