Highway 97 to reopen in South Cariboo

CLINTON, B.C. — After weeks of being closed, Highway 97 between Clinton and 70 Mile House in the South Cariboo is set to reopen at noon on Saturday (Aug.15), with drivers urged to take some precaution in the area.

The massive 157,448.4-hectare (about 1,575 square kilometres) Pear Lake wildfire had the highway closed since late July.

B.C. Government officials said the highway will be open to all traffic, but drivers are not allowed to stop within the fire zone. Exits and side roads will not be open to vehicle traffic until the fire risk decreases.

Drivers can expect speed reductions and minor interruptions along the stretch of highway as utility and other recovery efforts continue.