Vehicles at a standstill south of Kamloops late on Sept. 5, 2025. (Image Credit: Cassidy Delaney/Facebook)

By Victor Kaisar, CFJC Today (Kamloops)

Coquihalla Highway

Coquihalla Highway reopens after nearly 9-hour overnight closure

Sep 6, 2025 | 10:16 AM

COQUIHALLA HIGHWAY — The Coquihalla highway has reopened south of Kamloops after a nearly nine hour overnight closure.

The highway was closed around 9:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 5) because of a two vehicle crash north of the Inks Lake turnoff.

A number of first responders were called to the scene but details remain limited as of this morning. Drivers were being told to expect delays due to congestion on that stretch of highway.

This closure was not related to one south of Merritt that was caused by a semi-truck fire around 6:00 p.m. It’s not clear what caused that vehicle fire in the southbound lanes, and a small wildfire that sparked by the side of the highway is under control.

Remnants of the semi-truck fire on the Coquihalla near Coldwater Road. (Image Credit: David Dempsey/Facebook)

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As of publishing, the entire Coquihalla highway is open in both directions, though there is a travel advisory in effect near the Coquihalla Summit between Hope and Merritt due to the Mine Creek wildfire, which is now estimated to be 41 square kilometres in size.

“Be prepared for hazards including reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke, intermittent lane closures and crews working,” the BC Wildfire Service said. “For the safety of our first responders and the traveling public, drive with caution and do not stop in the area.”

“The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has also closed nearby exits and washroom facilities.”

An Incident Management Team has been assigned to this lightning-caused fire, and ground and aerial resources are responding.