By CKPG Today/Canadian Press

Old Fort Residents Frustrated With Evacuation Response

Oct 10, 2018 | 4:58 PM

OLD FORT-  Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth visited Fort St. John this afternoon to discuss a slowly-moving landslide that has the potential to destroy the community of Old Fort just south of Fort St. John. The roughly 50 homes and farms of Old Fort are built along the Peace River at the base of the steep hill leading to Fort St. John. Part of that hillside began slipping September 30th and, since then, the only road to the community has been torn up, electricity has been cut and one home has been damaged beyond repair. Volunteers have been helping residents evacuate by boat but they say they’re frustrated by the response so far. “They’re able to leave by boat only, everyone’s trying to get organized, there’s no leader here… we need some help,” said Jason Linley, “they really need a hand, their farm animals are all going to stay there, all of their vehicles are staying there, their ATV’s, basically if you can’t put it in a bag you’re not taking it.”  The Peace River Regional District says it has a plan in place to recover belongings and winterize homes when it’s safe to do so. It’s urging residents to stay out of the area.