Posts by Peace River Regional District

Old Fort Landslide Evacuation Order #1 Rescinded/Cancelled – May 21, 2026

Issued on May 21, 2026, at 1200h (12:00 p.m.)

Official notice 

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.

Old Fort Landslide Evacuation Alert #2 Issued – May 21, 2026

Issued on May 21, 2026, at 1200h (12:00 p.m.)

Official notice

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for the following areas:

• For all areas east of, but not including, 7711 Old Fort Road

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.

• This means residents should maintain awareness of the road condition and be prepared to respond to instructions should a future evacuation become necessary.

This alert is in place as a precautionary measure until MOTT can establish a permanent access road surface across the landslide area in the coming months.

The latest news and initiatives from the Peace River Regional District for May 2026. 

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit reports that significant progress was made over the long weekend on construction of the temporary access road. Baring any unforeseen complications, Old Fort Road is anticipated to reopen to vehicle traffic later this week, a welcome step forward for residents who have been separated from their homes for the past month.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) supports will be extended for an additional three days. Only residents who are in the Evacuation Order area are eligible for ESS assistance.

ESS Renewal Required – Wednesday, May 20

To continue receiving ESS supports, residents must renew their ESS file in person:

• Pomeroy Sport Centre (east lobby, second floor), between:
• 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or,
• 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Residents must attend on Wednesday to renew their ESS support. Renewals cannot be completed before or after this date.

The Peace River Regional District’s (PRRD) 2026 FireSmart™ campaign is in full swing, with its first Block Party successfully held on May 3. More opportunities for rural residents to learn simple, practical steps to reduce wildfire risk and protect their homes are planned throughout 2026.

Now in its sixth year, the program continues to grow in reach and impact. Since launching in 2021, PRRD FireSmart has completed 529 home assessments, hosted 38 community events, delivered 135 senior and mobility support services and completed 67 critical infrastructure and community asset mitigation projects across the region.

Peace River Regional District offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 100 Street) are closed on Monday, May 18, 2026, for Victoria Day.

Old Fort Landslide Road Construction Update — Friday, May 15

Work update: Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) reports wet site conditions which are hampering excavation and debris movement efforts. Crews today are focused on tasks not affected by weather and ground conditions, and all necessary equipment has been brought on site. 

As of 12:00 p.m. today, no ground movement has been detected.

Revised construction time estimate: Site assessments and work plans have continued to be refined, and as a result, while no firm estimate is known today, MOTT now expects the work required to create a stable two-lane temporary access road surface to be completed in several days, depending on weather and site conditions. 

No road access updates are expected until Sunday or Monday at the earliest, pending work at the site.

The Peace River Regional District Board of Directors has delayed the second reading of the proposed new Regional Zoning Bylaw. Before moving forward, the Board has asked staff for more detailed information regarding the proposed changes.

To better understand the impact of the new bylaw, the Board requested reports on:

• which parcels are changing zones
• differences between old zones and proposed new zones
• regulatory changes
• whether study area zones can be created