Image Credit: Ashlynne Riddoch/Facebook

By Victor Kaisar

Another Highway Closure

UPDATE: Coquihalla reopens south of Merritt after vehicle fire; closed south of Kamloops due to crash

Sep 5, 2025 | 6:50 PM

MERRITT — (UPDATE 11:45 p.m.): The Coquihalla has reopened south of Merritt, but the highway is closed once again in both directions south of Kamloops.

DriveBC first reported of a vehicle incident near the Inks Lake turnoff around 9:36 p.m.

RCMP officers from the Kamloops and Tk’emlups detachments are on the scene of the two vehicle crash. In a statement, they say they were called around 9:00 p.m. along with the BC Highway Patrol.

“Motorists are asked to plan an alternate route, as the highway is expected to be closed for a number of hours while the investigation is underway,” Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said, in a statement.

Shoihet said an update will be provided when available.

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This highway closure was reported about five minutes before DriveBC said that the Coquihalla had reopened south of Merritt after an earlier closure that was caused by a semi-truck fire.

That semi fire – in the southbound lanes of the highway – was reported just after 6:00 p.m. Friday (Sept. 5). That closure came about six hours after the highway reopened following a nearly two day closure due to the Mine Creek fire.

It’s not clear what caused this semi fire, but video shared on social media showed a thick plume of black smoke billowing from the back of the semi, which was mostly engulfed in flames. A small wildfire that was sparked by the side of the highway is under control, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

As well, DriveBC is also reporting that the Southern Yellowhead Highway (Highway 5) is closed in both directions about two kilometres south of Tete Jaune Cache due to a vehicle fire.

Details remain limited, but Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson took to social media to plead with drivers to use caution, to slow down and to respect first responders and traffic management personnel.

Torgerson also said temporary road markings are in place in the area.

You can find the latest updates on the Coquihalla south of Kamloops here and the Southern Yellowhead HIghway near Valemount here.