Highway 1, also known as the Trans-Canada Highway, has resumed limited travel in the Fraser Canyon region after being closed for nearly two months due to wildfires, as confirmed by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation. The closure began on July 7 amidst the Brunswick wildfire complex’s intense activity near Boston Bar. Despite a brief reopening in July, subsequent fire activity forced another shutdown.
The ministry has announced that a two-kilometer stretch of the highway, from one kilometer south of the Alexandra Bridge to one kilometer north of the Alexandra Tunnel, will have single-lane-alternating traffic. B.C. Hydro crews are actively working to repair electrical infrastructure in the area, leading to traffic restrictions.
To ensure safety, a pilot vehicle will guide traffic through the reopened section, with possible delays of up to 30 minutes. Full closures may occur intermittently between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, resulting in additional 30-minute delays. The ministry strictly prohibits stopping within active work or wildfire-affected zones along the corridor and has barred cyclists from traveling through the area.
Meanwhile, the Brunswick wildfire complex, comprising the Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek fires, remains active in the Boston Bar vicinity. The Brunswick Creek fire spans 92 square kilometers and is still uncontained, while the neighboring Ainslie Creek fire covers an extensive area of 677 square kilometers.
As of the latest update on Wednesday evening, evacuation alerts and orders remain in effect for a total of 12 alerts and nine orders spanning both fire areas. Evacuation alerts signal preparedness for immediate departure, while orders mandate immediate evacuation.
The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing efforts to manage the wildfires and restore normalcy in the affected regions.