UPDATE: Westbound lane closure on Hwy 3 but Osoyoos fire now under control

(UPDATE: Aug. 12 @ 10:05 am) – The BC Wildfire Service says the wildfire west of Osoyoos is now under control.

The fire, which started Monday afternoon, grew to just over 10 hectares.

The new mapping is due to a more accurate track of the fire, the BCWS said.

“Today, firefighting personnel continue to patrol and extinguish any remaining hot spots within the fire perimeter,” the BCWS said in an update Tuesday morning.

The westbound lane of Highway 3 remains closed and motorists are asked to keep an eye out for traffic control.

Some minor delays can be expected but anyone wanting to avoid the closure can take Highway 3A to Highway 97 to avoid the slower traffic.

According to DriveBC’s latest update, that traffic pattern will remain in effect until the end of the day.

No changes have been made to the evacuation alert issued by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

(UPDATE: Aug. 12 @ 6:46 am) – The wildfire burning west of Osoyoos is now held.

According to a late night update from the BC Wildfire Service, the fire was held at 7.5 hectares.

That means the blaze is projected to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.

A total of 22 BCWS firefighters responded to the fire alongside crews from three local fire departments.

“Aerial resources assisted ground crews but have completed their objectives for the evening. Ground crews are working to establish control lines,” the BCWS said in its update provided Monday night.

Highway 3 is now semi-open. There is a westbound lane closure in effect at Old Richter Pass Road.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen did issue a small evacuation alert, which remains in place as of Tuesday morning.

(Original story: Aug. 11 @ 6:50 pm) – A wildfire has closed Highway 3 near Osoyoos.

DriveBC says the highway is closed at Old Richter Pass Road, which is about five kilometres west of Osoyoos.

Motorists are being advised to watch for traffic control.

⛔️ #BCHwy3 is CLOSED in both directions at Old Richter Pass Rd due to a wildfire. #Osoyoos
ℹ️ More info: https://t.co/40qW8X71Sg pic.twitter.com/BkDPao4GZk

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 12, 2025

According to the BC Wildfire Service the fire is 7.5 hectares in size.

It is burning out of control and is believed to be human caused.

The Oliver, Osoyoos and Anarchist Mountain fire departments are responding alongside BCWS crews.

They are helping with structure protection and other firefighting efforts.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has not issued evacuations at this time.

A detour is in effect via Highway 3a Keremeos to Kaleden to Highway 97.