Train Derailment Vanderhoof District
Last updated on January 29, 2026Disclaimer:
- Information provided is based on reports received by Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR)
- Information provided is considered to be current at the time of posting, but is subject to change
Incident description
| Incident Date | January 28, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Name | DGIR: 260339 |
| Source | Rail cars |
| Nearest Community | Vanderhoof, B.C. |
| Spilled Content | Coal |
| Who is involved |
Canadian National Railway (CNR), Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV), District of Vanderhoof (DV), GFL Environmental, Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR), Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Saik’uz First Nation, Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation, City of Prince George, Regional District of Bulkley–Nechako, Regional District of Fraser–Fort George, Environment Canada, First Nations Health Authority, BC Parks, First Nations’ Emergency Social Services (FNESS), Health Emergency Management BC. |
Response phase details
The responsible person or spiller is legally required to cleanup or manage the cleanup of a spill.
In incidents where the responsible person is unknown, unable or unwilling to manage the cleanup, the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) may assume the role.
The updates below reflect the ministry’s oversight of the spillers’ actions. Details describe the spill response phase only and not the complete lifecycle of the spill. Visit the 'More information' page for other reports.
Updates are in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top.
Industry-specific language may be explained in the Glossary of Terms (PDF, 106KB).
Most recent updates
January 29
Further assessments of the incident have confirmed that 34 rail cars derailed. 31 of those rail cars ended up spilling their contents. Estimations indicate that 2,800 tonnes (2.8 million Kilograms) of product has spilled. Estimations indicate that 90 to 180 tonnes rest on the shoreline.
The Nechako River in the affected area is largely ice and snow covered.
The incident site is only accessible by rail.
CN has mobilized resources to the site, and removal/salvage operations are underway to restore rail operations.
Once tracks are operational, additional equipment will be brought in to begin expanded cleanup operations.
ENV staff will continue to monitor the incident, and expect to attend the incident site in the coming days.
Further updates will be provided once more information becomes available.
January 28 - 3:30 pm
On scene assessments have determined that the initial assessment of 8 impacted coal cars is incorrect.
Current assessments indicate that approximately 34 coal cars derailed, with an estimated 25 cars releasing their contents.
Assessments at this time, indicate that no coal has entered into the river directly. However, an estimated 100–200 tonnes of coal has accumulated on the shoreline.
CNR is actively developing response and recovery plans. CNR continues to keep impacted First Nations informed of ongoing actions.
Additional response crews continue to mobilise to the incident.
Two ENV Response Officers were deployed early this morning and remain on scene.
Further updates will be provided once more information becomes available.
January 28
In the early hours of January 28, 2026, the Ministry of Environment and Parks (ENV) received a report of a train derailment approximately 20 kilometers east of the District of Vanderhoof, B.C.
Canadian National Railway (CNR) are the operators of the train.
The initial report indicated that the derailment involved 8 coal cars. Currently, it is understood that 6 of the coal cars have landed in the Nechako River.
CNR has contracted GFL Environmental and other response teams to carry out site assessments and commence response and recovery activities.
Two ENV Response Officers are currently being deployed to the site.
Further updates will be provided once more information becomes available.