It was a terrifying drive for many on the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5) this afternoon.
Vehicles travelling through the Juliet Creek area between Merritt and Hope suddenly found themselves surrounded by flames from the Mine Creek wildfire.
More footage from the same motorist, taken moments earlier as they approached the flames.
**WARNING: This video contains language that may not be suitable for all viewers.** pic.twitter.com/YBajfdqkVR— KelownaNow (@KelownaNow) September 4, 2025
On Tuesday, the BC Wildfire Service said the wildfire was not a threat to the Coquihalla as it burned upslope in the opposite direction.
For that reason, and because it was burning in steep, mountainous terrain that was difficult to access, the blaze was just being monitored with no firefighting resources assigned to the incident.
Things changed on Wednesday, however, and the fire quickly raced toward Hwy 5 in dry, windy conditions.
Motorists captured photos and videos of large flames engulfing trees on both sides of the road before officials shut it down to vehicle traffic shortly before 4 pm.
Hwy 5 remains shut down in both directions at this time and the BCWS has not provided a new size estimate for the blaze beyond the 483-hectare mapping shared earlier in the day.
Given the footage surfacing from motorists who were some of the last through the area before the highway closed, the next size estimate should be significantly higher than 483 hectares.
