The Malahat is closed after an 18-wheeler knocked down a power line, which caused a brush fire, according to a report to RCMP.
“West Shore RCMP is on scene for a report of an 18-wheeler who took out a power line, which caused a brush fire,” Cpl. Alex Bérubé, RCMP spokesperson, said in an email to CHEK.
“I don’t have further info at this time.”
The highway webcam on the Malahat at South Shawnigan Lake Road shows the highway was clear at 3:32 p.m., then at 3:46 p.m. it shows power lines fallen across the road.
⛔️UPDATE #BCHwy1 #Malahat – the vehicle incident caused hydro lines down across the highway and is closed in both directions.
❗️Northbound is closed at West Shore Prkwy
❗️Southbound is closed at Butterfield Rd.
⛔️No access from Shawnigan Lake Rd.
Crews on scene for assessment.…
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 9, 2026
BC Hydro’s outage map shows electricity is out in the area for 1,603 customers as of 3:38 p.m.
Jeff King, CHEK Upside host, was a few cars back from where the power lines fell, and says emergency crews have said the Malahat is likely to be closed for a few hours.
“One vehicle is here from BC Hydro, the police are trying to make their way up here now, I can see the emergency vehicles are trying to weave their way through traffic, so people are trying to get out of the way so they can get up there,” King said.
“There’s no vehicles moving in any directions right now.”
Power lines can also be seen fallen before South Shawnigan Lake Road meets the Malahat, so there is no way around the area, King says.
On Facebook, West Shore RCMP said it is on scene at the crash and traffic is being redirected at the West Shore Parkway.
“Please avoid the area if you can and thank you for your patience,” the Facebook post says. We will provide an update once it’s reopened.”
CHEK News has reached out to BC Hydro for more information.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.
