UPDATE 11/18 – 7:00 a.m.
The Okanagan Connector has re-opened in both directions.
DriveBC announced the highway opened at 3:38 a.m.
✅#BCHwy97C – OPEN in both directions following an earlier vehicle fire. #OkanaganConnector #MerrittBC #Kelowna #WestKelowna #Westbank #Peachland https://t.co/80lhIgUWyu
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 18, 2023
UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.
The Okanagan Connector remains closed in both directions as a result of a vehicular incident between Trepanier and Brenda Mine Road.
Detours are available. The next update will be posted on DriveBC at 5:30p.m.
⛔REMINDER – #BCHwy97C Remains CLOSED due to vehicle fire east of Brenda Mines. Assessment in progress. #Peachland #MerrittBC #Kelowna #OkanaganConnector
ℹ️ For more info: https://t.co/D6dwoCO1nr pic.twitter.com/VVFxNUxmDU— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 17, 2023
UPDATE 12:00 p.m.
The Okanagan Connector is now closed in both directions.
⛔UPDATE 2 – #BCHwy97C Closed in both directions due to vehicle fire east of Brenda Mines. Expect major delays. Assessment in progress. #Peachland #Merritt #Kelowna #Okanaganhttps://t.co/D6dwoCO1nr
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 17, 2023
“The truck, which is roughly 20kms outside of West Kelowna near the Silver Creek pullout, was carrying chemicals that ignited and is making the fire fight challenging,” said West Kelowna RCMP. “The West Kelowna Fire Department is on scene battling the blaze and are making progress.”
#Hwy97C closed in both directions after truck carrying toxic chemicals catches fire. Next update 3:30 p.m. check @KelownaCapNews for more pic.twitter.com/1JMnZOSy62
— Jen Zielinski (she/her) (@Jen_zee) November 17, 2023
UPDATE 11:44 a.m.
According to DriveBC, the highway will be closed eastbound until at least 3:30 p.m.
UPDATE: 11:32 a.m.
The vehicle on fire is a transporter truck with argicultural and toxic chemicals.
Officers are turning cars around because of hazardous fumes in the area. Crews are letting the fire burn out because of the hazardous materials.
Original
The Okanagan Connector is closed eastbound because of a vehicle fire.
An assessment is in place as crews rush to the scene. The incident is in between Brenda Mine Road and Trepanier Road and happened around 10:45 a.m.
There is no detour available.
⛔UPDATE – #BCHwy97C Closed eastbound due to vehicle fire east of Brenda Mines. Expect delays. Assessment in progress. https://t.co/3ghulHbtav #Peachland #Merritt #Kelowna #Okanagan
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 17, 2023
DriveBC’s next update is coming at 11:45 a.m.
More to come.
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