Image: CFJC Today

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Coquihalla Highway

UPDATE: Coquihalla Highway remains closed, next update is 10 a.m. Friday

Sep 4, 2025 | 6:42 AM

UPDATE #3: The next update is 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening. There is still no anticipated reopening of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt, and social media users are reporting heavy traffic on Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

UPDATE #2, 10:57 A.M. THURSDAY: The B.C. Wildfire Service now says the Mine Creek wildfire 44 kilometres northeast of Hope has nearly quadrupled in size from yesterday. It’s unlikely the Coquihalla Highway will reopen today given the scope and size of the out of control wildfire.

UPDATE 10:20 A.M. THURSDAY: DriveBC now says the next update from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit about any possible reopening of the Coquihalla Highway will be 2:30 p.m. later today. As a reminder, motorists need to use Highway 1 (Fraser Canyon) or Highway 3 (Crowsnest); no commercial vehicles are allowed on Highway 8.

Original story:

COQUIHALLA HIGHWAY — There is no estimated reopening for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt after online reports suggest that the Mine Creek wildfire jumped the highway.

INCLUSIVE WORK PROGRAM

New contract to help employ recycling depot workers facing job loss in Mission

13h ago

FATAL CRASH

1 dead after single-vehicle collision at Lougheed Highway Saturday

14h ago

Surrey Police Service say a nine-year-old has died after collision with large vehicle

16h ago

According to B.C. Wildfire Service estimates, the Mine Creek wildfire is now 483 hectares and is currently burning Rank 5, meaning extremely vigorous surface fire or active crown fire, with spot fires occurring ahead of the fire.

BCWS says crews would continue to action the fire overnight with the support of a helicopter.

The fire is currently threatening the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5). At the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit closed down the highway Wednesday afternoon at approximately 4 p.m.

The next update on the Coquihalla Highway is 10 a.m.

Drivers heading from the Lower Mainland to the B.C. Interior are being told to detour via Highway 1 in Hope, or Highway 3 in Hope. Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge is also off limits to commercial vehicles which has been the case for the past few years when either the Coquihalla or the Trans-Canada is closed for any reason.