Emergency Information

Update on Kootenay Pass incident/Salmo River spill (Friday, March 29, 2019, 4:30pm): 

DriveBC is advising that Highway 3 at the Kootenay Pass is now OPEN. Drivers should expect delays as they continue vehicle recovery. Watch www.DriveBC.com  for updates.

MOE reports that environmental response contractors continue to address the spill clean-up and the environmental impacts. Updates on this spill and any other hazardous materials spills can be found on the MOE Spills Incidents web page: www.gov.bc.ca/SpillsInfo 

If there is anything further to report about this incident, we will do so here on our website, and on Facebook and Twitter.

The RDCK would like to thank area residents and travelers for staying informed, and for continuing to be alert and aware of changing road conditions at higher elevations.

Be safe, and have a great weekend.

Update on Kootenay Pass incident/Salmo River spill (Friday, March 29, 2019, 10:30am): 

Assessment of the site of Wednesday's fatal crash on Kootenay Pass continued throughout the night. DriveBC reported that Highway 3 was open to single-lane alternating traffic last night, but will be closed again at 11:00am to allow for the tanker to be removed from the river. Detour via the Kootenay Lake Ferry, but expect delays. If all goes well, they hope to open the highway again at 4:00pm today. Keep an eye out for highway and ferry updates via DriveBC: http://www.drivebc.com/

The BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MOE) has advised that the remaining fuel was offloaded from the tanks last night. Response contractors are on site today, and will continue to work to control and collect the spilled fuel. They also continue to assess the environmental impact and develop response plans.

The MOE, as the regulating body, is your best source of information regarding this incident and any other hazardous materials spills. Visit their Spills Incidents web page for the most up-to-date information: www.gov.bc.ca/SpillsInfo

If there is anything further to report about this incident, we will do so on our website, and on Facebook and Twitter.

RDCK Media Release - RDCK monitoring fuel spill after Kootenay Pass crash (March 28, 2019): The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is monitoring the situation involving a single-vehicle crash on Highway 3 at the Kootenay Pass yesterday evening that spilled a significant amount of fuel into the Salmo River. The driver of the vehicle was killed in the crash, and there were no additional injuries. The provincial environmental emergency response team is assessing the situation. Read the full media release.