Movement continues at Old Fort landslide, ESS renewals available

Updated April 29th, 5 p.m.: This article has been updated to reflect the recorded distance of the Old Fort landslide since April 19th.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An evacuation alert and order are still in effect in Old Fort due to an ongoing landslide in the area. 

In an update posted at 9 a.m. on April 29th, the PRRD noted Emergency Support Services (ESS) are available for renewal on April 29th for residents displaced by the evacuation order issued on April 20th. 

Individuals looking to continue accessing ESS funding and services must renew by 7 p.m. on April 29th; they will be unable to do so after this date. 

The PRRD explained ground movement is continuing in the Old Fort  area, and sections of the Old Fort Road have been displaced more than 100 metres down the slope. 

“Stay away from and off the landslide,” the regional district said. 

“Nobody should ever be near an active landslide; they are dangerous and constantly changing.” 

In an interview on This Week in the Peace on April 24th, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) stated more than 400 metres of movement had been recorded at the site of the landslide since April 19th.

Both the evacuation order from April 20th and an alert issued on April 23rd remain in effect, and the PRRD stated it does not have a current timeline for when access to the Old Fort area may be restored.