Coquihalla Highway closed between Hope and Merritt, B.C., due to wildfire

A wildfire has shut down the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt, B.C., late Wednesday afternoon.

DriveBC first tweeted about the closure just before 4 p.m. PT on Wednesday, and the stretch is closed in both directions from Merritt to Hope.

Officials say that drivers on the route, which connects the Lower Mainland and the B.C. Interior, should expect delays. They've been advised to detour via Highway 1 or Highway 3.

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The closure comes as the nearby Mine Creek wildfire continues to burn out of control, having grown to 483 hectares since it was discovered Monday.

At that time, the fire covered an area just over 100 hectares, and it was suspected to have been sparked by lightning.

B.C. Wildfire Service informa