Penticton Search and Rescue Asks Travellers to Be Prepared Before Braving Backroads
Road Safety at Work says smoke, heat and debris can make wildfire travel dangerous as more than 100 fires burn across British Columbia.
- Amid more than 100 wildfires burning across British Columbia, Road Safety at Work is urging motorists to avoid traveling through fire-impacted areas due to intense heat, smoke, and debris.
- The massive Bald Range wildfire grew to approximately 136 square kilometres by Sunday, triggering evacuation orders for about 10,000 properties and forcing the indefinite closure of Highway 97.
- With Highway 97 closed, drivers are diverting to the unpaved 201 Forest Service Road, which rescue teams warn is unsuitable for most vehicles and requires a 4x4 to navigate.
- Penticton and District Search and Rescue responded to a stranded driver on August 9 after GPS directed them onto an impassable backroad, prompting warnings against relying solely on navigation apps.
- Motorists should check DriveBC before departing, carry emergency kits with N95 masks, and maintain following distances between four and six seconds when driving through smoke-affected areas.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Hwy 97 could be closed until Saturday due to the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland
UPDATE 4:00 p.m. Highway 97 could be closed for the remainder of the week between Summerland and Peachland. The latest update from DriveBC notes an estimated time of opening is not available. However, it also says the next update won't be until noon on Saturday, August 15. The Ministry of Transpor...
Penticton Search and Rescue asks travellers to be prepared before braving backroads - Creston Valley Advance
With Highway 97 closed for the foreseeable future due to the Bald Range wildfire, drivers are being directed to take alternate routes, with the rough terrain catching some by surprise. DriveBC is currently advising drivers to take either Highway 33 to get to Kelowna, or, as long as they are not a commercial vehicle driver, to use the unpaved backcountry 201 Forest Service Road. Drivers are also reportedly being directed by GPS and apps to use ba…
Penticton Search and Rescue asks travellers to be prepared before braving backroads - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
With Highway 97 closed for the foreseeable future due to the Bald Range wildfire, drivers are being directed to take alternate routes, with the rough terrain catching some by surprise. DriveBC is currently advising drivers to take either Highway 33 to get to Kelowna, or, as long as they are not a commercial vehicle driver, to use the unpaved backcountry 201 Forest Service Road. Drivers are also reportedly being directed by GPS and apps to use ba…
Penticton Search and Rescue asks travellers to be prepared before braving backroads - Grand Forks Gazette
With Highway 97 closed for the foreseeable future due to the Bald Range wildfire, drivers are being directed to take alternate routes, with the rough terrain catching some by surprise. DriveBC is currently advising drivers to take either Highway 33 to get to Kelowna, or, as long as they are not a commercial vehicle driver, to use the unpaved backcountry 201 Forest Service Road. Drivers are also reportedly being directed by GPS and apps to use ba…
Penticton Search and Rescue asks travellers to be prepared before braving backroads - Vanderhoof Omineca Express
With Highway 97 closed for the foreseeable future due to the Bald Range wildfire, drivers are being directed to take alternate routes, with the rough terrain catching some by surprise. DriveBC is currently advising drivers to take either Highway 33 to get to Kelowna, or, as long as they are not a commercial vehicle driver, to use the unpaved backcountry 201 Forest Service Road. Drivers are also reportedly being directed by GPS and apps to use ba…
Penticton Search and Rescue asks travellers to be prepared before braving backroads - Northern Sentinel
With Highway 97 closed for the foreseeable future due to the Bald Range wildfire, drivers are being directed to take alternate routes, with the rough terrain catching some by surprise. DriveBC is currently advising drivers to take either Highway 33 to get to Kelowna, or, as long as they are not a commercial vehicle driver, to use the unpaved backcountry 201 Forest Service Road. Drivers are also reportedly being directed by GPS and apps to use ba…
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