Limited re-opening of Highway 97 through Summerland announced
Drivers will be limited to through traffic only, with daily access from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while wildfire crews keep working.
- On Thursday, DriveBC announced Highway 97 is open for through traffic between Penticton and Peachland, operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily with speeds reduced to 70 km/h.
- Sparked last Friday, the Bald Range wildfire remains out of control at more than 19,000 hectares, forcing evacuations for more than 20,000 people across Central Okanagan and Okanagan-Similkameen.
- Travel is restricted to "through route only," meaning no stopping or exiting is permitted, while those with a valid RDOS Temporary Access Pass must access via Prairie Valley Road.
- DriveBC warns the highway may close again with limited notice if restrictions are ignored, urging drivers to fuel up and use Highway 33 detours given volatile fire conditions.
- Multiple agencies, including the Ministry of Transportation and RCMP, collaborated to ensure safety for the reopening, with updated information expected at noon on Saturday, August 15.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Highway reopens through Summerland in B.C. wildfire evacuation zone
PENTICTON — The highway that runs through the wildfire evacuation zone in Summerland, B.C., has been reopened on a limited basis. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says Highway 97 is only open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
CP Highway reopens through Summerland in B.C. fire evacuation zone
PENTICTON — The highway that runs through the wildfire evacuation zone in Summerland, B.C., has been reopened on a limited basis. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says Highway 97 is only open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with no stopping or exiting except for holders of temporary access passes. The route had been shut The post CP Highway reopens through Summerland in B.C. fire evacuation zone appeared first on Medicine Hat News.
Highway 97 opens between Penticton and Peachland for 'through traffic only' - Northern Sentinel
DriveBC says Highway 97 is opening between Penticton and Peachland for “through traffic only” as the region continues to contend with the out-of-control Bald Range wildfire. There will be no stopping in the area except for vehicles with approved permit holders at Prairie Valley Road, the provincial road service said. The stretch of highway will be open to public traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow crews to access the site overnight. Speeds ha…
Highway 97 opens between Penticton and Peachland for 'through traffic only' - The Similkameen Spotlight
DriveBC says Highway 97 is opening between Penticton and Peachland for “through traffic only” as the region continues to contend with the out-of-control Bald Range wildfire. There will be no stopping in the area except for vehicles with approved permit holders at Prairie Valley Road, the provincial road service said. The stretch of highway will be open to public traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to allow crews to access the site overnight. Speeds ha…
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