PEACE RIVER REGIONAL DISTRICT, BC — As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense across British Columbia, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is reminding eligible residents to take advantage of free, hands-on help to protect their homes.
Professional crews from Mammoth Forestry will complete physical wildfire mitigation landscape work around eligible properties at zero cost to the homeowner. This dedicated support service is available for seniors and persons with mobility challenges, through the PRRD’s FireSmart™ program.
Services include:
Clearing gutters and removing yard brush
Pruning trees and removing fuel sources near homes
The Peace River Regional District office in Fort St. John (9505 100 Street) is observing the following hours for the upcoming BC Day week:
Friday, July 31, 2026: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Monday, August 3, 2026: Office Closed (BC Day)
Tuesday, August 4, 2026: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Wednesday, August 5, 2026: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Thursday, August 6, 2026: 9:30am to 3:30pm
Friday, August 7, 2026: 9:30am to 3:30pm
If you need assistance with payments outside of these hours (with the exception of the statutory holiday on August 3), please contact the Dawson Creek office at 250-784-3200 or prrd.dc@prrd.bc.ca.
The Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) issued a Ministerial Order directing the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) to conduct a geotechnical assessment of the slopes above the Old Fort community. The PRRD contracted BGC Engineering on May 26, 2026, to do the assessment and has received that work.
BGC Engineering's assessment found that landslide risk at Old Fort has returned to a level comparable to conditions following previous events in 2018 and 2020. This baseline does not mean the risk is eliminated or low. It means the situation has stabilized to a familiar baseline that has also been previously characterized within a geotechnical analysis by Tetra Tech in 2021.
Based on this, BGC concluded that the risk present does not meet the definition of imminent.
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is pleased to announce that Evacuation Alert #1 and Evacuation Alert #2 for the Old Fort Landslide have been cancelled, effective June 23, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. No evacuation orders or alerts remain in effect for the Old Fort landslide and community.
Evacuation Alert #2 was issued, and Alert #1 left in place, on May 21, 2026 as a precautionary measure following the opening of the temporary access road, when heightened awareness of road conditions was warranted. Since that time, the temporary road surface has provided reliable access to the community. A permanent road surface across the landslide will be constructed later this summer.
The evacuation alerts also supported the provision of Emergency Support Services (ESS) to residents who chose to temporarily live outside of Old Fort while geotechnical assessment work was underway. That assessment has now been completed and received by the PRRD and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. As a result, Emergency Support Services will not be renewed.
The PRRD recognizes the significance of today's announcement for Old Fort residents and families and remains committed to keeping the community informed. Visit the Old Fort Landslide page for further details.
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is happy to share that the Old Fort Landslide Evacuation Order #1 has been cancelled as of May 21, 2026, at 1200h (12:00 p.m.).
This means residents and service providers are permitted to return to the area.
As Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) has completed construction of a temporary road access surface across the landslide and has re-opened Old Fort Road as of 12:00 p.m., May 21, the community isolation of Old Fort has ended.
Evacuation Alert #2 has been issued in place of Evacuation Order #1 as a precautionary measure due to the temporary nature of the current access road surface.
The state of local emergency originally declared on April 20, 2026 and subsequently extended until June 1, 2026, has been cancelled effective as of 1200h (12:00 p.m.) May 21, 2026.
As the landslide related closure of Old Fort Road has now been resolved by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit construction and re-opening of this provincial roadway, the community of Old Fort is no longer isolated and the emergency situation has ended.
PRRD Chair Brad Sperling sat down with Moose Media to chat about regional priorities heading into spring 2026 in the latest installment of our Chair's Update series.
Dawson Creek, BC – February 11, 2026 – The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is profoundly saddened by the tragic events of February 10, 2026, at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. On behalf of the PRRD Board of Directors, I offer our sincerest condolences to everyone affected by this devastating loss.
The District of Tumbler Ridge is part of our regional family and this tragedy is felt deeply across the entire Peace region. Our hearts go out to the children, staff, family, first responders, community, Mayor Darryl Krakowka, Council and every resident of Tumbler Ridge as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. We grieve alongside you.
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