Dashcam video from Coquihalla Highway maintenance truck shows apocalyptic scene of out-of-control wildfire

As of noon Thursday, wildfire was 1,900 hectares and out of control

If you've ever driven Highway 5 in January or watched the show Highway Thru Hell, the documentary-style show focused on heavy-vehicle recovery crews at work on the Coq amid blizzards and avalanches, you know how scary it can be.

But summer can be frightening, too. Video clips shared on social media from a highway maintenance truck as it drove through the Mine Creek wildfire on Wednesday (Sept. 3, 2025) are downright apocalyptic as the sky blackens with smoke and trees are seen candling on either side of the legendarily challenging roadway.

The lightning-caused fire was discovered on Monday and by Thursday was at 1,900 hectares and classified as out of control.

Record-high temperatures on Wednesday coupled with winds stronger than forecasted resulted in Rank 5 fire behaviour, meaning an active crown fire with moderate to long-range spotting and independent spot fire growth.

A structural protection crew worked overnight on Sept 3 in the Coquihalla Lakes area. A night-vision equipped helicopter was able to get an estimated track of the fire overnight, however the B.C. Wildfire Services is expecting additional growth into the afternoon Thursday.

As of 12:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 4, Highway 5 was closed between Othello Road (exit 183) and Merritt (exit 286) at the junction to Highway 97C, according to DriveBC.

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Paul J. Henderson
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