Emergency News

The Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness issued a Ministerial Order directing the PRRD to conduct a point-in-time geotechnical assessment of the slopes. This assessment will provide technical information on current slope conditions but is not a long-term monitoring program.

Given the ongoing uncertainty related to land movement in Old Fort, the Province is extending Emergency Support Services to residents who choose to remain out of the community while geotechnical assessments are underway, under the following conditions: Emergency Support Services (ESS) are intended for residents who are displaced.

• EMCR has indicated that if a resident chooses to return to their home, they are no longer considered displaced and are therefore not eligible for ESS.
• Any continued receipt or application for ESS after returning home would be considered fraudulent. 

• Pomeroy Sport Centre (east lobby, second floor), between:
• Saturday, May 23, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Supports will be issued for 6 days, with renewals, if necessary, on Friday, May 29.

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

For assistance, please contact the PRRD Info Line at 250-219-5210.

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.

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 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.

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.

Old Fort Landslide Road Construction Update — Thursday, May 14

The PRRD is not responsible for any road works within the 119,200 sq km expanse of the regional district. We pass on operational and update messages from the responsible Ministry of Transportation and Transit with their agreement.

Work update: Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) reported that due to rain today, work at the Old Fort landslide and road construction site had to be discontinued this morning for safety reasons. Site inspections are being carried out, and MOTT intends to restart work at the site at 6:30 a.m., tomorrow, Friday, May 15.

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 PRRD will provide updates when meaningful news is available to be shared.

Questions or concerns about the road reconstruction efforts? 

Emergency Support Services (ESS) continue to be available for residents evacuated due to the Old Fort landslide. Only residents who are in the Evacuation Order area are eligible for ESS.

Emergency Support Services

Emergency Support Services information updated as of 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 14.

IF YOU HAVE REMAINED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY EVACUATION ORDER AREA:

• As of Friday, May 15, at 6:30 a.m. any informal access through the slide area will no longer be available. 
• Evacuate now. If you have not already registered for Emergency Support Services, call 250-219-5210 between 09:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to make arrangements.

MOTT continued their work over the weekend on dewatering the slide mass. Please check the Drive BC Old Fort Advisory Page for any updates they may publish.

The two pictures connected to this update are from the PRRD Drone.

We know events like this have a big impact on evacuees and surrounding areas. If you find yourself struggling, please know that there is support out there. If you are uncomfortable with contacting the support below, reach out to a family member, friend, neighbour or trusted professional.