June 3, 8:30 am update: The Alaska Highway portion closed by fire has reopened to one-lane traffic. Expect delays and possible further closures.
A fast-moving wildfire near Summit Lake, approximately 58 miles west of Fort Nelson, has led to travel disruptions along the Alaska Highway and forced evacuation alerts for parts of northern British Columbia.
The blaze, designated G90413 by the BC Wildfire Service, has now grown to an estimated 2,158 acres and remains classified as burning out of control.
First discovered on May 28, the wildfire is thought to have been caused by human activity.
Drought conditions, dry weather, and strong winds intensified fire behavior overnight between June 1 and 2, causing the flames to surge southeast toward the Alaska Highway. The corridor is a vital lifeline for communities and tourists traveling between British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska.
In response to the advancing fire, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality issued an evacuation alert for the Tetsa River area. The alert applies specifically to properties along the Alaska Highway between the Steamboat Mountain brake check (mile 333, km 536) and the coordinates 58°42’2.23″N, 124°39’43.41″W to 58°38’16.21″N, 124°39’40.50″W. Residents in the zone have been urged to be ready to leave on short notice.
As of Monday evening, the Alaska Highway remains closed between the Highway 77 junction and Toad River, with no detour routes available. This closure is particularly disruptive for travelers en route to or from Alaska, many of whom rely on this stretch as the only road connection. Toad River is about eight driving hours southeast of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
Public Services and Procurement Canada temporarily reopened a small portion of Highway 97 between kilometer markers 580 and 589 to single-lane alternating traffic as of 9:25 pm Alaska time on Monday. However, delays are expected, and officials stress that the situation remains fluid. Motorists are being advised to monitor DriveBC for real-time road conditions and follow posted signage.
Local businesses, such as the Triple G Hideaway RV Park in Fort Nelson, have stepped up to support stranded travelers with accommodations and services as they await road access. Campgrounds, fuel stops, and visitor centers in the area are also seeing an uptick in demand due to the highway closure.
The Summit Lake fire is one of 70 active wildfires currently burning across British Columbia, with more than half considered out of control, the BC Wildfire Service said. The service has deployed an incident management team to oversee operations in the Summit Lake area.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Fort Nelson, Muncho Lake Provincial Park, and Stone Mountain Park. Residents and visitors in these regions should be prepared for reduced visibility and potential health effects due to wildfire smoke.
Travelers headed to or from Alaska through northern British Columbia should:
- Monitor DriveBC for the latest road closures and traffic updates.
- Check EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders and alerts.
- Plan for delays and potential overnight stays in Fort Nelson or surrounding communities.
- Be prepared for poor air quality and limited services along the Alaska Highway corridor.
Officials have not yet projected when full highway access will be restored. DriveBC and EmergencyInfoBC will issue another update at 8 am, Mountain time.
The Casiar highway is a good alternative but planning ahead my be needed to keep from back tracking.
For a moment I thought you were referring to the Caviar Highway — you know, the beltway that encircles Washington, District of Criminals.
A 13 hour back track and then 13 hours to Watson Lake. ‘backhttps://www.google.com/maps/dir/Muncho+Lake,+British+Columbia+V0C+1Z0,+Canada/Smithers,+British+Columbia,+Canada/@56.15451,-130.7304033,1170408m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x53efdd68ec86fcbf:0x574d47ac410cf844!2m2!1d-125.771076!2d58.926463!1m5!1m1!1s0x547509629c5d2717:0xa65b2375f04cb24f!2m2!1d-127.1665997!2d54.7817914!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
ANTIFA666ots starting fires in BC because no more fentantl is arriving in the port of Vancouver from their suppliers in the CCP
Refill your meds please.
That’s really a rough deal for some. I’ve driven the length of that highway several times, as many others have done. The part about no alternative kind of reminds me of the Glenn Highway.
“First discovered on May 28, the wildfire is thought to have been caused by human activity”
What sort of human activity?
Was it arson? Subsistence activities? Oil & gas exploration? Mandated burn? A fire crew imported from South Africa that went on strike during a massive wildfire for Canadian wages while living in a man camp? An all female fire crew that declared they could manage a demonstration controlled burn better than a male fire crew?
That last one devastated Alberta a few years ago
Just think of all the megatons of carbon dioxide that those Canadian wildfires are releasing into the atmosphere! Shame, shame on Canadia for advancing globull warming!
Fifty years ago, on my first trip to Alaska as a summer lark to check it out for myself, over 800 cars were held in Ft. Nelson due to a wash-out further down the highway. This was at the height of the “Pipeline Rush” for jobs. We all marked time for several days, giving the town a sort of carnival atmosphere.
In those days, the Alcan Hwy was 1100 miles of gravel, and dust was a real problem. The Alaska Highway was used by heavy trucks carrying items that were too big for planes and needed in a hurry, making ships too slow. Every truck, whether oncoming or passing, delivered a tommy-gun shower of gravel.
When it re-opened, the Mounties were very careful about controlling the traffic for a full 150 miles. There were 800+ vehicles. Smaller cars and motorcycles led the way, and NO PASSING was allowed. Making 30-35 mph was all that a sane driver in a car could risk, but once cut free at the choke-point, the trucks just hammered over it all, and roared at the usual 60 mph over the washboard and dust.
Always the Cassiar Highway for road travel. Gas up whenever you can and live off the top half of your tank. The longest distance between fuel pumps is from Dease Lake to the Yukon (Watson Lake), a distance of 167 miles (270km). Minor mechanical assistance is available in Stewart, Dease Lake and Watson Lake. Major repairs are available in Whitehorse, Terrace or Smithers.
Filling up whenever you can is an old urban myth that refuses to die. There are gas stations all along the highway, most of them 24/7 pay at pump. The longest distance between gas stations is the 160 mile stretch between Teslin and Watson Lake. Last year I filled up in Whitehorse, Fort Nelson and Stony Plain (Edmonton suburb) before reaching America. That’s three fill ups in Canada with a pickup truck that has a 24 gallon fuel tank. And no, I don’t carry extra fuel.
This won’t slow down Canadian truck drivers. With them, it’s a crash a minute.
Just squeaked by that fire headed back to Alaska. The new owners of the Triple G are great people and travelers are lucky to have that place to stop. Toad River Lodge is another great place to wait if you are headed south.