It was Friday, July 24, when officials shut down Hwy 97 through Clinton.
The closure came suddenly amid panicked evacuations as the destructive Pear Lake wildfire picked up steam.
The aggressive blaze destroyed several homes and businesses, leaving a permanent scar on the area, and the highway has been closed ever since.
Now 22 days later, that stretch of Hwy 97 has finally reopened between Clinton and 70 Mile House after its lengthy wildfire-related closure.
It’s not business as usual, however, as vehicles are not permitted to stop at any time or exit the highway.
“Speed reductions and minor traffic interruptions can be expected as utility and other recovery efforts continue,” a news release from the Ministry of Transportation explained. “This is an active wildfire area and conditions are subject to change with little to no warning.
Drivers are reminded to respect all traffic control instructions. Hwy 24 and Hwy 5 remain alternative options for travellers in the area.
The Pear Lake wildfire is now an eye-popping 157,448 hectares in size.
