FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — BC Hydro has scheduled a set of planned power outages in and around Fort St. John next month, with temporary interruptions expected to affect a combined 53 customers across three separate work windows.
The outages are tied to routine system maintenance, including pole replacement and other planned work on BC Hydro equipment. The utility typically schedules this type of work during daytime hours to allow crews to safely access lines and hardware while keeping disruptions as limited and predictable as possible.
Outage dates and expected customer impact
BC Hydro’s schedule shows three planned outages affecting different pockets of the Fort St. John area:
March 6: From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the outage is expected to affect 1 customer in the area around Hudson’s Hope Road M 7.
March 8: From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the outage is expected to affect 3 customers around West Bypass Road.
March 9: From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the outage is expected to affect 49 customers across several nearby roads and neighbourhood areas.
Areas listed for the March 9 outage
The March 9 interruption accounts for the largest share of affected customers. The impacted areas listed for that date include:
Aitken Cr Road (including an additional listing for Aitkin Cr Road), Bartch Street, Bartsch Road, Beatton Road, Evergreen Road, Letkiman Avenue, and parts of Buick Creek.
Because these are planned outages, restoration is generally expected by the stated end time, but timing can shift slightly depending on field conditions and weather. If crews complete work earlier than expected, power is often restored ahead of schedule.
Why BC Hydro schedules planned outages
Planned interruptions are commonly used to support maintenance work that can’t be completed safely while lines remain energized. Pole replacements and equipment upgrades help reduce the risk of unexpected failures, especially in areas with exposure to harsh weather, wind, and freezing conditions that can accelerate wear on overhead infrastructure.
In many cases, this type of work is designed to improve reliability over the long run by replacing older components before they become a problem. While a planned outage can be disruptive, it is generally considered preferable to sudden outages caused by equipment faults or damage.
Recent outage context in the region
The upcoming Fort St. John-area outages follow a larger planned interruption earlier this month in the wider region. Nearly 1,000 customers experienced a planned outage on February 15 in Pouce Coupe and several nearby communities. That event underscored how scheduled maintenance can affect a wide area depending on the scope of work and the sections of the grid involved.
The March outages around Fort St. John are considerably smaller in scale, but they highlight ongoing infrastructure work across northeastern B.C. as crews prepare systems for seasonal transitions and future demand.
What customers can do to prepare
Customers in affected areas may want to take a few simple steps ahead of the scheduled windows. Keeping phones and power banks charged, unplugging sensitive electronics, and planning around devices that require electricity for work or medical needs can help reduce disruption. Refrigerators and freezers typically hold temperature best when kept closed during the outage period.
For households using generators, it’s important to follow safety guidance, including keeping generators outdoors and away from windows or vents to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
Where to check the latest updates
BC Hydro provides real-time information and changes to outage windows through its official outage tools, including the outage list and map. For the most current details tied to your address or area, use the BC Hydro outages list.
