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UPDATE: May 22, 2017 3:15 p.m
The Ministry of Transportation is reporting that the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt is expected to remain closed in both directions well into the evening, and possibly overnight, following an incident involving a burning semi-trailer truck carrying dangerous goods.
Ministry crews and VSA Highway Maintenance are working with the Ministry of Environment, Transport Canada and a hazardous materials team to contain the situation.
Today is traditionally one of the Coquihalla's busiest days of the year with as many as 25,000 vehicles travelling this stretch of highway.
Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes, check DriveBC for updates, drive to conditions while exercising caution and expect major delays.
UPDATE: May 22, 2017 1:18 p.m. The Coquihalla is expected to be closed until midnight.
According to Drive BC, Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt will remain closed for the day due to a dangerous goods fire.
UPDATE - #BCHwy5 remains CLOSED from #Hope to #Merritt for dangerous goods fire. ETO is 12 am on May 23. Next update at 11 pm today.
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) May 22, 2017
VSA Highway Maintenance also announced at 1.18 p.m. that they had begun to extinguish the fire and start cleaning up the highway.
#BCHwy5 closure update:
— VSA Hwy Maintenance (@VSAMaintenance) May 22, 2017
HazMat assessment complete.
Extinguiment & Cleanup begins.
Est time of opening midnight.
Next update at 23:00 h pic.twitter.com/RDgIvtp5NV
The estimated time of opening is 12.00 a.m. on May 23rd.
An air quality advisory was issued due to the semi truck fire.
The advisory has been issued following a semi truck carrying potentially hazardous chemicals caught fire on Highway 5 near the Coldwater Road Exchange earlier this morning. The advisory is due to potential health impacts created by smoke coming from the fire.
People in or around the area who smell or taste anything unusual in the air are advised to seek shelter indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off any air intakes (like air conditioning). If individuals continue to smell anything unusual indoors then they should leave the immediate area and seek cleaner air.
Likely symptoms include mild to moderate irritation of the nose, throat, respiratory tract or eyes.
Individuals who experience more severe respiratory symptoms, headache, nausea or dizziness should seek medical assistance.
Currently, there are no indications that local water has been impacted by the fire.
#BCHwy5 crews pulling guardrail to clear s/b traffic caught between #Merritt & fire scene. pic.twitter.com/uk2BfjcIiU
— VSA Hwy Maintenance (@VSAMaintenance) May 22, 2017
(Original Story: May 22, 2017 - 8.20 a.m.) Coquihalla closed in both directions
Highway 5 is closed in both directions 25km south of Merritt due to a transport truck fire.
An alternate route is available via Highways 1 and 8 (Merrit) or 3 and 97 (Kelowna).
Alternate route via Highway 1 (Kamloops)
Currently, there is no estimated time of opening.
An assessment of the incident is underway.
To check up on the latest highway updates, visit DriveBC here.