2020 Old Fort Landslide Incident
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The community remains on an emergency footing. Old Fort remains cut off from standard essential services delivery. Residents should continue to conserve water and reduce garbage and sewage wherever possible. Emergency supplies and services are being provided where feasible.
The Peace River Regional District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been activated to support the residents of Old Fort through the provision of various supports and services including:
- Emergency Support Services (ESS) – lodging, food and other supports for residents unable to maintain their household due to lack of timely and safe access to the community.
- Emergency Water Taxi Service – running between Old Fort and Peace Island Park, on the hour, between 05:00 am and 09:00 pm daily.
- Emergency Utilities Services – emergency-level utility services including limited sewage, household garbage removal and water.
Emergency Support Services (ESS)
While Old Fort remains cut off from road access, ESS referrals for lodging and food are available from the PRRD ESS team. Referrals are renewed on a case by case basis.
- ESS phone number: 250-219-0447
- ESS hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Emergency Water Taxi Service
To provide safe access to the Old Fort community a water taxi service between Peace Island Park and Old Fort has been established. The service runs 16 hours a day, on the hour, from both locations except when river conditions (unusually high flow or debris) or weather (thunderstorms or fog) make conditions unsafe. A walk-on dock is available at both locations under normal conditions. The Peace Island Park terminus has a shelter and toilet facility; at Old Fort we appreciate a resident for providing shelter from inclement weather.
- Terminus locations: Peace Island Park and Old Fort (see satellite photos below)
- Schedule: On the hour at each side, 5:00 am through 9:00 pm, weather and river conditions permitting. During adverse weather call the emergency water taxi service hotline to see if service is halted: 250-271-0366.
- Vehicle security: is provided overnight 05:00 pm through 05:00 am at Peace Island Park; parking at Old Fort is near the dock.
- Availability: 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.
| Old Fort and Peace Island Park dock locations
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Old Fort Dock Location – Full View
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Emergency Garbage Services
On Sunday, July 5 and Monday, July 6 crews worked to remove household garbage from properties in Old Fort.
Effective Tuesday, July 7, residents may bring bagged household waste only to the Old Fort dock by 7:00 pm. For safety reasons and to avoid animal issues, if you miss pick-up, do not leave garbage at the dock.
- Restrictions: No construction waste, yard waste or prohibited items will be accepted. Our crews have the right to refuse any item. Only securely bagged household waste will be accepted.
- Using the service/schedule: Residents are responsible for bringing their bagged household waste to the Old Fort emergency dock, no later than 7:00 pm.
Prohibited Items
Click to enlarge
Emergency Water & Sewage Services
Updated July 8, 2020
As a priority, delivery of emergency water supplies is on-going to residents that remain in the community. Residents accepting water do so at their own risk.
Water supplies are provided by a licensed water hauler; the system installed uses an approach, components and sanitation practices acknowledged by Northern Health.
Click here for a description of the water delivery system and safety procedures. Due to the urgent need, speed of construction, and fast-track approval of the emergency water permit, out of an abundance of caution, Northern Health has issued a boil-water notice. If you have any questions about the emergency water delivery system, contact our contractor partner at: 250-271-0366.
Remember, the Old Fort community area remains on an emergency footing. Conserve water and reduce garbage and sewage.
Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (MoTI)
See our MoTI page for the current status, archive of status reports, photos and more.
To Read the Old Fort Emergency Plan, Click Here
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Old Fort Landslide 2018 Incident
Correspondence
| Date of Letter: | Date of Response: | From: | Board Meeting Date: | Documents: |
| December 19, 2019 | February 28, 2020 | Melissa Boyd, FOI Specialist | November 28, 2019 | Letter and Response |
October 23, 2019
Sent by MP Bob Zimmer |
December 12, 2019 | Minister Michelle Mungall | January 9, 2019 | Letter Response |
| November 13, 2019 | – | BC Hydro | November 14, 2019 | Letter |
| August 8, 2019 | September 18, 2019 | Deputy Minister Lori Halls | October 10, 2019 | Letter Response |
| June 19, 2019 | – | – | April 11, 2019 | Letter |
| March 15, 2019 | June 12, 2019 | Minister Michelle Mungall | June 27, 2019 | Letter and Response |
| March 15, 2019 | April 26, 2019 | Minister Mike Farnworth | May 16, 2019 | Letter and Response |
| October 31, 2018 | December 21, 2018 | Minister Mike Farnworth | January 10, 2019 | Letter and Response |
November 14, 2019
BC Hydro Work in Old Fort Area
BC Hydro will be cleaning up materials in the Old Fort area between November 18th and 22nd. Flaggers will be on-site to help with traffic, however, no lane closures or power outages are expected due to the work.
November 4, 2019
Please be aware that areas of Old Fort are still under Evacuation Order. This means that nobody is allowed in these areas due to ongoing safety concerns. If you see people or vehicles in the evacuation order area, please contact the Fort St John RCMP by calling 250-787-8100.
August 15, 2019
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has announced that road construction is planned to commence approximately August 23 and will run into early October for construction of Chain Up Areas/Pull Outs. The road will be Single Lane, Alternating Traffic intermittently between the hours of 7am – 6pm, Monday through Saturday.
For general questions about the project, contact Tracker Contracting by calling 250-785-8953.
August 9, 2019
Old Fort letter to Min Public Safety Request Data August 2019
August 8, 2019
The Peace River Regional District Board reviewed the letter sent by Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General on July 26, 2019 in response to a previous letter sent by MLA Dan Davies, on June 25, 2019, expressing his concerns regarding the Old Fort Landslide area.
The Minister’s letter suggests the area is unlikely to experience “a dramatic slippage of the remaining hillside that might further impact homes to occur. The data suggests that if movement was to recommence, it would be a slow-moving slide as had been experienced in the previous slide that initiated on September 30, 2018.” The Regional Board is requesting from the Ministry the data that substantiates this statement.
Once the data is received, the Peace River Regional District plans to have the data verified by applicable experts to consider whether evacuation alerts and orders may be removed from the Old Fort area.
Letter from Minister Farnworth
July 25, 2019
Public Notice
Please be advised that Old Fort Road will be closed this Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm between 242 Road and Tahltan Road. There will be flaggers in place and a detour set-up for access.
June 27, 2019
Public Notice and Permit Information
The Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources has issued a permit to Deasan Holdings Ltd. to explore subsurface conditions under the slide area and compare it with subsurface conditions where the ground did not slide in 2018. It is hoped that the comparison should show the depth of the failure zone during the October 2018 landslide and may also help to determine whether or not historical landslides have happened in the past. By testing rock cores along the weak joints/slickensides and bedding plains, Deasan is hoping to assess residue strength of the material, performing sensitivity slope stability analysis to review the effect of the different parameters in triggering the slope movement also providing a safe setback for further operations.
Work will take place between May 28, 2019, and July 31, 2019. An entry permit to allow access to the evacuation order area has been issued by the Peace River Regional District to facilitate this work between these dates and between the hours of 7:00 am and 7:00 pm.
For further information regarding the work being conducted please refer to the attached permit. Should residents have any questions or concerns regarding the work please contact the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources directly at 250 565-4240.
The Peace River Regional District apologizes for not posting this information earlier.
Public Notice and Permit Documents
February 22, 2019
Fridge/Freezer Replacement Program
Fridge/Freezer Replacement
If your fridge or freezer was damaged during the Old Fort landslide evacuation in 2018, you may be eligible for support with replacement costs from the Canadian Red Cross and the B.C. Government. Financial assistance for spoiled food replacement is also available. More information Old Fort Refrigerator Freezer Replacement
Updated – February 25th, 2019 (Please bring photo I.D, proof of home ownership, and receipt or invoices related to the costs of fridge/freezer replacement).
EOC Structure & Purpose
EOC Purpose EOC Structure
Provincial Assistance Programs
Disaster Financial Assistance
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is a provincial program to help individuals and local governments recover from uninsurable disasters. The DFA Program comes into effect when residents cannot access insurance for events that are uninsurable, such as the Old Fort Landslide. DFA can compensate individuals for 80% of eligible claims, after the first $1,000 to a maximum claim of $300,000. DFA is for essential items only. Disaster Financial Assistance 1-888-257-4777 OR email dfa@gov.bc.ca OR website www.gov.bc.ca/disasterfinancialassistance
Property & Housing Questions
Insurance
If you have questions about your home or tenant insurance, call your insurance representative directly or call the Insurance Bureau of Canada toll-free at 1 844-2-ASK-IBC.
Property Values
If residents have questions about how the slide may affect property values, contact BC Assessment. BC Assessment Authority at 1-866-825-8322..
Community Resources
Mental Health Support Line
To reach a mental health support worker trained to provide emotional and mental health support 24 hours a day: Call 310-6789 (do not add an area code before the number) or check out their website at: http://www.crisislines.bc.ca/services
Employee Assistance Programs
Your employer may have an employee assistance program (EAP). EAP is a work-based intervention program designed to identify and assist employees in resolving personal problems (e.g., marital, financial or emotional problems; family issues; substance/alcohol abuse) that may be adversely affecting the employee’s performance. Please contact your employer to see if this service is available.
HealthLink BC
To access free, non-emergency health information for anyone in your family, including mental health information. You can also speak to a registered nurse about symptoms you’re worried about, or talk with a pharmacist about medication questions. Call 811 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca
Community Contacts
Police/Ambulance Emergency 9-1-1
Police-Non-Emergency 250-787-8140
Pacific Northern Gas 1-800-663-1173
BC Hydro 1-888-769 3766
Telus 1-800-663-0333
Yellowhead Road and Bridge 1-888-883-6688
Fort St John Health Unit 250-263-6000
Health Link BC 8-1-1
Mental Health Support Line 310-6789 (do not add an area code before the number)
Talk In Tough Times 1-877-427-4884
BC Assessment Authority 1-866-825-8322
Insurance Bureau of Canada 1-844-227-5422
Disaster Financial Assistance 1-888-257-4777
Emergency Info BC 250-952-4913
FSJ Women’s Resource Society 250-787-1121
