Highway 97 Remains Closed

UPDATE, 2 pm August 5 2026: Highway 97 has reopened in both directions.

Read the update here - https://www.exnews.net/vernon-news/highway-97-reopens-north-of-okanagan-lake-after-bradley-creek-wildfire

Original story:

Reopening of Highway 97 at Westside Road due to Bradley Creek wildfire still likely days away

A semi carrying power poles spotted in Vernon BC

August 5 2026 - Westside Road remains closed in both directions north of the 4400 block (open only as far as Shelter Cove), and a section of Highway 97 (from Salmon River Road to the Highway 97A junction) is also closed because of the Bradley Creek wildfire.

DriveBC’s next scheduled updates are still days away, suggesting any realistic hope of reopening either route is at least several days off.

A BC Hydro vehicle at a Highway 97 road block

BC Hydro has made progress restoring power along the Westside Road corridor itself, cutting the number of customers without electricity from more than 3,500 to roughly 1,700, mainly in the Vernon and Spallumcheen areas.

Crews and contractors are still assessing and replacing approximately 150 damaged power poles and related infrastructure caused by the fire.

The utility says full restoration will take time and depends on safe access, weather, and ongoing wildfire activity.

Highway 97 Remains Closed