Highway 3 west of Osoyoos is closed in both directions Saturday as crews work to remove two cranes that have been there for weeks. A Maurer Cranes rig caught fire at the base of Richter Mountain, about 21 kilometers west of Osoyoos, on August 11. The fire spread up the hill, growing to about 26 hectares in size before fire crews could bring it under control. A second crane sent to the scene to help remove the burnt shell of the first crane appears to have been damaged in the process, and both cranes remained at the scene for weeks. DriveBC says crews will be at the scene of the fire, near Sumac Street, removing the two cranes throughout the day Saturday. Recovery efforts have forced the closure of the 3 Freeway in both directions, and work is expected to continue until 9 p.m. Those who want to bypass around the closure can use national road 3A, between Keremeos and Kalenden.
