Residents in parts of Fort St. John, British Columbia, will experience several planned power outages in early March as BC Hydro carries out scheduled maintenance on its electricity network. The utility says the temporary interruptions are required for infrastructure work, including pole replacement, and are expected to affect a total of 53 customers across three separate maintenance windows.
Unlike unexpected outages caused by storms or equipment failures, these interruptions are scheduled in advance so crews can complete essential upgrades safely. BC Hydro generally performs this work during daytime hours to reduce safety risks while giving customers time to prepare.
If you’re interested in other utility and public service updates across Canada, you can find more coverage in our latest Alberta energy assistance update.
Planned outage schedule for Fort St. John
BC Hydro has published three planned outage windows for different locations in and around Fort St. John.
March 6: Power is scheduled to be interrupted from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for one customer near Hudson’s Hope Road M 7.
March 8: A second planned outage will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., affecting three customers in the West Bypass Road area.
March 9: The largest maintenance project is expected between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with 49 customers temporarily losing electricity while crews complete scheduled work.
Neighbourhoods affected on March 9
The March 9 outage covers several roads and nearby communities. According to BC Hydro’s outage schedule, the affected locations include Aitken Cr Road, Aitkin Cr Road, Bartch Street, Bartsch Road, Beatton Road, Evergreen Road, Letkiman Avenue, and parts of Buick Creek.
Customers in these areas should expect service to return by the estimated restoration time, although work may finish earlier or take slightly longer depending on field conditions.
Why BC Hydro is carrying out the work
BC Hydro, the provincial electricity provider serving most of British Columbia, regularly schedules maintenance projects to keep its network reliable. Replacing aging utility poles and upgrading electrical equipment helps lower the likelihood of future outages caused by worn infrastructure.
Preventive maintenance is particularly important in northeastern British Columbia, where severe winter weather, strong winds and freezing temperatures can place additional stress on overhead power lines and support structures.
How these outages compare with recent maintenance
The upcoming Fort St. John outages are relatively limited compared with another planned interruption earlier this year. On February 15, nearly 1,000 customers in Pouce Coupe and neighbouring communities temporarily lost power while larger maintenance work was completed.
Although the March projects affect far fewer customers, they form part of BC Hydro’s ongoing maintenance program designed to improve long-term reliability across the region.
How to prepare before the outage begins
Customers can reduce inconvenience by charging phones, laptops and backup battery packs before power is interrupted. Sensitive electronics should be unplugged or connected to surge protection, while refrigerators and freezers should remain closed as much as possible to help preserve food.
Anyone relying on electrically powered medical equipment should review backup arrangements in advance. Households using portable generators should operate them outdoors and well away from doors, windows and vents to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
Where to find the latest outage information
BC Hydro updates planned outage schedules and restoration estimates through its official outage tools. Customers can confirm whether their address is affected or check for schedule changes by visiting the BC Hydro outage list.
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