Highway 99 will be closed for nearly 10 kilometres north of Pemberton, B.C., overnight on Wednesday after a partial avalanche buried the roadway in snow, the Ministry of Transportation says.
The province says crews will be working on the stretch of highway at Duffey Lake Road to clear snow and debris, and that it will only be reopened on Thursday morning if conditions are safe.
The Ministry of Transportation told CBC News it was notified of the avalanche just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday. According to DriveBC, the stretch of Highway 99 was closed Tuesday night due to a “high avalanche hazard.”
In a statement Wednesday, the ministry said it had performed a heli-bombing operation to release any remaining material in a controlled manner.
<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy99?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#BCHwy99</a> The Duffey Lake Road remains closed due to High Avalanche Hazard. Avalanche control is being performed by crews. Assessment is ongoing. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/PembertonBC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#PembertonBC</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lillooet?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Lillooet</a><br><br>Here is a 📸 of a deposit around 12pm Noon. 🕛 <br><br>Can you spot the loader working?<a href=”https://t.co/VjrcyzBVqw”>https://t.co/VjrcyzBVqw</a> <a href=”https://t.co/I8cXJwHBX6″>https://t.co/I8cXJwHBX6</a> <a href=”https://t.co/8EMdMObsor”>pic.twitter.com/8EMdMObsor</a>
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The ministry said that with warmer temperatures and precipitation forecast overnight, more avalanche activity was possible.
The avalanche danger rating for areas at higher altitudes in the area has been set at “considerable” by Avalanche Canada.
“Drivers are asked to avoid the area and reminded to obey signage,” the ministry said. “People who choose to travel should prepare for delays and ensure their vehicles are properly equipped with extra supplies, including food, water and blankets.”
