Delays still expected along Highway 97C following lumber truck fire

Delays along the Okanagan Connector are still expected today following a Friday night lumber truck fire that caused the highway's closure.

Peachland firefighters responded to a lumber truck that was fully involved Aug. 19, at roughly 7:45 p.m. and remained on scene for hours putting out the fire near Brenda Mine.

The highway was closed overnight due to the incident and reopened Saturday morning.

READ MORE: Lumber truck fire causes overnight closure of Okanagan Connector

One lane of traffic in the eastbound direction is still closed, according to DriveB.C. and flaggers will remain on scene until tomorrow, Aug. 22. 

"Expect delays," according to DriveB.C.

Const. Mike Della-Paolera, media liaison with the Kelowna RCMP, said no injuries were reported and he wasn't sure why the truck caught on fire.

"They've been cleaning it up and it's been kind of a nightmare cleanup," he said.

The fire damaged the highway's asphalt, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transportation. The damaged section will be repaved tomorrow, Aug. 22.

"Until the repair is completed, the eastbound slow lane remains closed. Drivers should reduce speed and watch for flaggers," according to the ministry.

– This story was updated at 1:16 p.m. with comment from the ministry.

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