Image credit: X/@I68736176Isaac

By Victor Kaisar

Wildfire Watch

UPDATE: RCMP say impaired driver sparked wildfire along Highway 5A near Merritt Sunday

Jun 30, 2025 | 9:01 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — (UPDATE 10:45 a.m.): Police in Merritt say the driver of the vehicle that sparked a wildfire along Highway 5A near Nicola Lake Sunday (June 29) afternoon was was likely impaired by liquor at the time.

Police say witnesses told them that the driver swerved to avoid a fox on the road, and that the vehicle caught fire after it hit the ditch. That fire – which is now considered to be under control – spread to the bush nearby and grew to about a hectare in size.

In a news release Monday (June 30), Merritt RCMP say the driver was given a 90 day driving ban for refusing to provide a breath sample to the officer investigating the incident. The vehicle – or what’s left of it – will also be impounded for 30 days.

“There is zero leniency with driving while impaired,” Const. Blake Chursinoff said. “We are grateful for our partners with BC Wildfire for their swift action in containing the blaze and the public who stayed on scene and were able to provide key information to the officers for their investigation.”

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At this time, police also say the driver is not currently being investigated for starting the wildfire.

The BC Wildfire Service told CFJC Today that an initial attack crew and a helicopter were dispatched to the scene Sunday afternoon. It also said the fire is currently considered to be under control.

“I think we’re fortunate that we’ve seen a little bit of precipitation over the last couple of weeks,” Fire Information Officer Taylor Shantz said. “That stands to change as we move into warmer weather this week, but in this case, I think it helped gets things under control rather quickly.”

As of noon Sunday (June 29), the fire danger rating in the Merritt area is considered to be moderate to high, with other areas of the Kamloops Fire Centre at a low to very low fire risk.

Image credit: BC Wildfire Service

– With files from Aaron Schulze