Highway 97C is pictured looking west from the DriveBC webcam looking west at Elkhart, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. | Credit: DriveBC

UPDATE: Okanagan Connector reopens following commercial truck fire

The highway connecting the Okanagan to the Coquihalla has reopened to single lane alternating traffic after a commercial truck fire today.

The Okanagan Connector, or Highway 97C, has reopened to single lane alternating traffic today, Dec. 31, following a commercial truck fire involving hazardous contents. DriveBC is advising the public to drive carefully through the worksite.

Merritt RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Lorne Wood said in a press release they received word of the vehicle fire at around 1 a.m. today. The truck was travelling east of the Highway 5A-Aspen Grove junction when the fire occurred. Police determined the contents of the truck were extremely volatile, prompting the closure of the highway.

Transport Canada has been notified of the incident as crews continue assessment work. Anyone with any additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.

A snowfall warning issued by Environment Canada continues today on the Trans-Canada Highway from Rogers Pass to Eagle Pass, the Yellowhead Highway from Tete Jaune Cache to the Alberta border, and Highway 3 from the Kootenay Pass to the Paulson Summit. The warning has been lifted on the Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Hope.

For the latest on highway conditions check out the DriveBC website here.

For the latest on snowfall warnings go to the Environment Canada website here.

Hwy 97 C is closed this morning. | Credit: SUBMITTED / Drive BC

— This story was updated at 11:04 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, with more information from RCMP. 

— This story was updated at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, to say Highway 97C had reopened to single lane alternating traffic.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to tips@infonews.ca and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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