Breaking news: Site C dam work suspended due to fires
Parts of the province are already setting temperature records.
Fall 2021 photo of Site C dam construction on the Peace River. (B.C. Hydro)
*Update: Workers have returned to the site after improvements to the weather. However, officials are prepared to evacuate if wildfire conditions change.
The Site C Dam project, a $16-billion hydroelectric project in northern B.C., has halted work due to wildfires.
The project near Fort St. John is over 70% completed and is expected to wrap up next year.
BC Hydro gave the following statement on twitter Tuesday morning:
“We are closely monitoring the Stoddart Creek wildfire. The Site C project is currently under an evacuation alert. As a precaution, we have suspended work at the dam site and are prepared to evacuate if necessary.”
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has already issued a series of evacuation orders for people in the area.
On Monday the PRRD issued combined evacuation orders and alerts for the Stoddart Creek and Red Creek wildfires, and a State of Local Emergency is declared for some areas.
“This is a very dangerous situation, and we’re here to support our communities, but we need residents leave immediately when an Evacuation Order is issued as it is not safe to stay behind,” said Mike Watkins, PRRD emergency operations centre director. “It is critical for residents in Evacuation Order areas to leave immediately.”
According to the latest workforce numbers from the project team, Site C has roughly 4,415 people working at the site. With an estimated value of $16 billion, it is one of the largest construction projects in the province.
*Editor’s note: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
