Wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan region are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, even though the Valley is distant from the fires. Jessica Fairhart, executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, mentioned that the provincewide state of emergency due to wildfires has influenced some travelers’ plans.
The Columbia Valley, home to communities like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is approximately 300 kilometers away from the fires in the Okanagan. Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray confirmed that the community is safe from wildfires, with local businesses, hotels, and attractions operating as usual.
Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, noted a decline in August bookings following the onset of wildfires. Concerned out-of-province guests, observing the fires on social media, have inquired about travel conditions, often misunderstanding the distance of the fires from the Valley.
Despite fears related to the state of emergency, Fairhart emphasized that only specific areas are affected, not the entire province. She mentioned that some tourists are apprehensive about displacing wildfire evacuees from accommodations, which is not an issue in their area.
While there has been a recent decrease in tourism, Fairhart mentioned a positive trend in bookings for late August and September. Roy expressed hope for last-minute bookings to help recover from a wildfire-related power outage during the busy August long weekend.
Although the Columbia Valley is not in close proximity to the major wildfires, it has encountered periods of heavy smoke this summer, which is another concern for tourists. Fairhart advised prospective visitors to check current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning a trip to the region.