The Coquihalla Highway has reopened, but the closure between Merritt and Hope persists due to a wildfire. The Mine Creek wildfire, which sparked on Monday, has caused the shutdown. The Ministry of Transportation plans to resume Coquihalla operations once conditions are safer. Alternative routes through Highway 1 or Highway 3 are available.
Video footage uploaded on social media displays vehicles passing through flames engulfing large trees along the highway. The BC Wildfire Service reports that extreme heat and strong winds have escalated the wildfire to Rank 5 behavior, capable of burning tree tops. On Thursday, the fire displayed varying intensity levels in different areas.
The Fraser Valley Regional District ordered evacuations around Coquihalla Lake, with the rest stop on alert. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District also issued evacuation orders and alerts due to the ongoing threat. Lightning is suspected to have started the fire, complicating firefighting efforts due to damaged bridges from past floods.
Highway 20 has reopened west of Anahim Lake after being closed due to the Beef Trail Creek wildfire. The fire has expanded, triggering evacuation orders and alerts in nearby regions. A drone disrupted firefighting operations in the Cariboo region, emphasizing the dangers of flying drones near wildfires.
The province anticipates heightened wildfire activity, leading to poor air quality across various regions. Environment Canada issued air quality warnings in 32 areas, cautioning residents about hazy skies and degraded conditions. Record-breaking temperatures have been recorded in several locations, with heat warnings in effect for specific regions.
