PRRD and Municipal Partners Invite Residents to Second Round of Engagement on Local Hazards

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD), in collaboration with its municipal partners, is inviting residents to the second round of engagement to help shape the region’s new Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA). PRRD project team members are inviting residents to participate in an online survey and community events across the region from August 11 to August 23.

Earlier this year, residents shared their perspectives on the hazards and risks that matter most to their communities. This next round of engagement focuses on sharing what was heard and identifying actions that can be taken to reduce these identified risks.

Required by law under the Province of British Columbia’s Emergency and Disaster Management Act, the HRVA is a foundational tool used to calculate risk scores for hazards such as wildfires, flooding, windstorms and utility outages. While technical analysis and professional judgement can be used to identify risk management actions, understanding resident priorities and goals is key to focus actions on what matters to people who live here.

“The people who live in our region bring valuable local knowledge about the challenges their communities face,” says PRRD Board Chair Brad Sperling. “By sharing their ideas on how to reduce identified risks, residents can play a direct role in helping us build stronger, more resilient communities and better prepare for future emergencies.”

This round of engagement focuses on sharing the results of the risk assessment with the public and showing how their feedback helped directly shape the identified risks. Community input played an important role in ensuring the assessment reflects local experiences, concerns and priorities.

Community event schedule

Public engagement runs from July 27, 2026, to August 27, 2026, with community events across the region and an online survey open now. Participants will also have a chance to win prizes by participating.

Tuesday, August 11: Farmington, 7pm-9pm
Peace River Forage Event - Grazer Gathering, Moat Farms: 7611 237 Road
Register by calling 250-263-8802 or emailing coordinator@peaceforage.bc.ca

Wednesday, August 12: Cherry/Bear Canyon (AB), 9am-4pm 
Peace River Forage Event - Beyond Fertilizer as Usual: 833075 Range Road 123 Bear Canyon
Ticketed event, learn more and get tickets at alternativefertilizer.eventbrite.com

Thursday, August 13: Pouce Coupe, 5pm-7pm
Volunteer Appreciation Event, Pouce Coupe Fire Hall: 5012 49 Avenue
RSVP by August 10 by calling 250-786-5794 or emailing admin@poucecoupe.ca

Saturday, August 15: Dawson Creek, 9am-2pm
Dawson Creek Farmer’s Market, NAR Park: 900 Alaska Avenue

Wednesday, August 19: Hudson’s Hope, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Ice Cream Sundaes in the Park, Beattie Park: 9555 Beattie Drive

Thursday, August 20: Chetwynd, 5pm-8pm
Risk-Themed Trivia/Burger Night, Chetwynd Legion: 4511 Veterans Way

Friday, August 21: Charlie Lake, 5pm-7pm
Community Pizza Night featuring Cone’d Pizza, Charlie Lake Fire Hall: 13065 Firehall Road

Saturday, August 22: Tomslake, 11am-2pm
Open House and BBQ, Tomslake Fire Hall: 15407 Tomslake Drive

Sunday, August 23: Sunset Prairie, 8am-3pm
Kiskatinaw Fall Fair, 6056 261 Road

Survey

Residents can also share their feedback through an online survey open now (July 27, 2026) to August 27, 2026, at 3pm MST. Paper copies of the survey are available at the community events, and at the PRRD offices in Dawson Creek (1981 Alaska Avenue) and Fort St. John (9505 - 100 Street).

Background

The HRVA is being developed by the PRRD in partnership with the City of Dawson Creek, District of Chetwynd, District of Hudson’s Hope, District of Tumbler Ridge and Village of Pouce Coupe, with consultant support from Associated Engineering.

A final public report will be released in the summer of 2027. This report will outline specific actions that the PRRD and partners can take to reduce regional risks, as well as potential programs (such as training or subsidies) to help residents build their own household preparedness.

To learn more, visit the project page at haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca/HRVA, or contact the PRRD Protective Services Department at 250-784-3200 or email protective.services@prrd.bc.ca.

Contact

PRRD Protective Services Department
protective.services@prrd.bc.ca
250-784-3200