Drivers Warned To Prepare For Highway Closures Due To Wildfires

If you’re hitting the road, wildfire activity is increasing in the B.C. Interior and the Province says travel on some highways is being affected.

As fire conditions can change quickly, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises drivers that provincial highways may close with limited notice.

Non-essential travel to and within fire-affected areas is discouraged to help avoid traffic congestion on evacuation routes.

If people must travel on Interior highways adjacent to wildfires, drivers should ensure they are prepared for possible delays or closures.

Travel with a full tank of gas, food, water and other emergency supplies.

With weeks of extreme heat and very dry forest fuels, BC Wildfire Service says the forecasted wind has the potential to increase fire behaviour on active wildfires and new starts could grow quickly.

Environment Canada is forecasting hot, dry and windy conditions with extensive thunderstorms for the north, and some thunder cells in the south, with the exception of the coast and Vancouver Island.

There are more than 350 fires currently burning in BC, four of them of note.

In Alberta, an Evacuation Order has been issued for the Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park.

Everyone was ordered to evacuate last night, and officials said in an update overnight that the evacuation is progressing well.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.