Office sinkhole displaces Vanderhoof forestry staff

A sinkhole that appeared in the floor of Vanderhoof’s local forestry office on Jan. 18 gave local foresters a change of scenery.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ office in Vanderhoof is located west of the community on Highway 16.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ office in Vanderhoof is located west of the community on Highway 16.

A sinkhole that appeared in the floor of Vanderhoof’s local forestry office on Jan. 18 gave local foresters a change of scenery.

Since then, staff are moved into BC Wildfire Service trailers that were on the ministry’s worksite at 1560 Highway 16 East in Prince George, indicated the Ministry of Forests, Lands an Natural Resource Operations in a written response.

“The trailers will be a temporary location for 30 days as the fire crews will start coming in at the end of February,” the ministry stated. “The idea of looking into bringing in trailers for a longer term is being considered, as it’s believed the repairs could take some time.”

Geotechnical engineers are working to determine the cause of the sinkhole and structural engineers were on site during the week of the incident, but the ministry does not have an understanding of what happened underneath the building so far.

“FLNRO leases this building and therefore there is involvement from the landlord and insurance adjustors, and the ministry has limited control over the timing of those factors,” the ministry stated.

FrontCounter BC operations are continuing and clients can call 250-567-6363 to be directed to the appropriate staff or department.

Vanderhoof Omineca Express