Coquihalla Highway Reopens After Urgent Semi Truck Blaze

UPDATE: The Coquihalla Highway has officially reopened after a semi truck fire prompted a brief but urgent closure on Friday. This critical route between Hope and Merritt was shut down for several hours as firefighters battled the blaze that threatened to spread to nearby forest areas.

The fire erupted just hours after the highway resumed normal operations following earlier closures due to the ongoing Mine Creek wildfire. Eyewitnesses reported thick, black smoke billowing from the truck, which was engulfed in flames. Emergency responders, including the B.C. Wildfire Service, acted quickly; a helicopter involved in fighting the Mine Creek fire spotted the truck blaze and assisted in controlling a spot fire that had ignited in the brush nearby.

The highway was closed from approximately 3:00 p.m. until 9:40 p.m. on Friday. During this time, DriveBC updated the public via social media, confirming that the route had fully reopened. However, motorists are still prohibited from stopping between Hope and Merritt due to the proximity of the wildfire, which continues to burn out of control on both sides of the highway.

The truck fire was just one of several incidents affecting the Coquihalla on Friday. A two-vehicle collision near Kamloops around 9:00 p.m. temporarily closed the highway in both directions at the Inks Lake turn-off. This incident was resolved by 6:00 a.m. Saturday, allowing traffic to resume.

Additionally, another vehicle fire north of Valemount at 10:00 p.m. caused further disruptions, but this section of the highway has since reopened to alternating one-way traffic.

As conditions remain volatile, authorities are urging drivers to stay informed about road status and to exercise caution when traveling through affected areas. The situation continues to develop, and updates will be provided as they become available.

Stay tuned for further updates on the ongoing Mine Creek wildfire and its impact on regional travel. Your safety is the priority.