Old Fort residents still inside an evacuation zone caused by a slow-moving landslide are being urged to leave within the next 24 hours, or risk being trapped for a week or more.

An evacuation order was issued April 24 for approximately 150 residents of the community, which is just outside of Fort St. John in northeast B.C., as the earth shifted the only access road by roughly of 100 metres.

But the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) estimates as many as half of those impacted have continued to live in their homes, using unofficial footpaths and ATV trails to get in and out for supplies.

Now, with Ministry of Transportation staff set to begin repairs this coming Friday, the district has renewed its call for people to leave and take advantage of emergency services being offered.

“Heavy equipment will move tonnes of upslope material to a site south of the displaced roadway. This work is necessary for road construction and will result in the removal of the resident-built trail currently being used to access the displaced road segment. There will be no safe access across the slide area,” the PRRD said in a Facebook post.

“Any informal access through the slide area will no longer be available.”

PRRD Chair Brad Sperling said he doesn’t have a lot of information about the ministry’s plans but said he was warned that access to Old Fort could be cut off for a week or more.

“It’s health and safety, it’s always the concern,” he said. “They won’t be able to get supplies.”

An update was not immediately available from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit [MOTT] but a website dedicated to the landslide operated by the province says work to reestablish access to the community is being expediated this week.

The site also warns that, “non-compliance with traffic control and work zone restrictions may result in fines or enforcement action. Unauthorized entry poses serious safety risks and may result in delays to restoring access.”

The PRRD says anyone in need of assistance, including a place to stay, can get help from emergency support services set up at the Pomeroy Sport Centre in Fort St. John.

Residents worried about livestock left behind

But some Old Fort residents have expressed concerns about what the extended closure will mean for their livelihoods.

In the comments section of the PRRD’s post, one resident questioned how he would be able to care for his livestock trapped inside the evacuation zone.

Another said they had tried to check on their animals earlier in the day only to find fencing blocking the makeshift path into the community.

In response, the PRRD clarified that while ministry officials had originally planned to start reconstruction on Thursday morning, the regional district asked it be delayed until Friday in order to give people more time to prepare.

“MOTT has assured the PRRD they will permit access beyond the snow fence until 06:30 a.m. on Friday morning, after which time the site will be closed to permit heavy equipment to begin the necessary work to rebuild the road,” the PRRD wrote on Facebook.

“MOTT is dispatching staff at this moment to check the site to ensure the pathway is not blocked. For domestic animals, Emergency Support Services incidentals funding can be used towards boarding.”

Sperling said while he understands people’s concerns, it is up to ministry officials to manage the road repairs and every day that those repairs are delayed is another day that those who have evacuated will be stuck outside of their homes.

“I just hope they get that access road open as soon as possible so these people can get back into their homes,” he said.

This is the third landslide since 2018 to impact the community, prompting questions about its future viability if a more permanent fix cannot be found.

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