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Coquihalla closed after semi fire starts wildfire, causes toxic spill

A fully engulfed semi trailer burns on the Coquihalla Highway.
A semi trailer fire and toxic spill closed the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope, Monday, April 20, 2026. Photo FACEBOOK/Sean Rutherford

A semi trailer caught fire on the Coquihalla Highway Monday night creating a toxic spill and the intense fire spread to the forest starting a wildfire.

A 911 call at around 9:06 p.m., April 20, about a semi on fire in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway near the Coldwater Road exit sparked a response from police and the BC Wildfire Service, according to an RCMP media release.

Wildfire service crews suppressed the blaze. 

There’s toxic material on the road and an environmental cleanup is underway, DriveBC said.

Due to safety concerns from the toxic spill, the highway remains closed in both directions from Merritt to about six kilometres north of Hope. An alternate route is available via Highway 1 or Highway 3, to Highway 5A.

For the latest on the highway’s status go to DriveBC here.

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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