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Three homes evacuated in Chilliwack due to landslide

A landslide on Vedder Mountain, just above Giesbrecht Road, forces evacuation and road closure
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This landslide

Three homes have been evacuated in Chilliwack due to a landslide on Vedder Mountain Saturday morning.

The landslide is above Giesbrecht Road, and not directly visible from Vedder Mountain Road. Emergency responders have closed a portion of Vedder Mountain Road, between Giesbrecht and Browne roads while dealing with this evolving situation. Fire trucks and the RCMP are on scene.

A geotech assessment is reported to be underway.

Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz said that nobody was in any immediate danger.

"They're all safe, that's the good thing," she told The Progress.

She said the city heard about the landslide at about 10 a.m. this morning and moved quickly to evacuate the homes below.

"We got news there had been a landslide above Vedder Mountain Road, and so the fire dept went in as a precaution. The three families, they're all out. But there are three boulders sitting at the top that are in a precarious position. We immediately called a geotechnical professional to determine what is going on at the of the ledge."

She said they are hoping to learn what caused the rocks to come loose.

"We've had a huge weather event, and then a big thaw and we've heard there was also blasting in the area," she said.

She said Vedder Mountain Road will remain closed until they can safely open it again.

"People will have to use Highway 1 to access Yarrow, or Keith Wilson," she said.

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