Wildfires in the Okanagan region of British Columbia are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, which is located several hours away from the fires. Despite being a considerable distance from the wildfires, the provincewide state of emergency has influenced some travelers’ decisions, according to Jessica Fairhart, the executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society.
The Columbia Valley, encompassing areas like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is approximately 300 kilometers away from the wildfires in the Okanagan. Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray reassures that the community is not under threat from wildfires, and businesses, hotels, and attractions in the area are operating as usual.
Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, mentioned a decline in bookings for August following a strong month of July. Concerned calls from out-of-province guests, who may have misconceptions about the proximity of the wildfires, have been affecting bookings. Roy emphasized that the fear surrounding the state of emergency is not impacting all of British Columbia, but rather specific regions.
Despite the challenges, Fairhart noted a potential upward trend in bookings for the end of August and September. However, Roy’s hotel has not experienced an increase in bookings for the remainder of the month. She remains hopeful that last-minute travelers will choose to visit the area, aiding in the recovery from a recent wildfire-related power outage that occurred over the busy August long weekend.
While the Columbia Valley is not directly affected by the major wildfires in the Okanagan, periods of heavy smoke have been experienced this summer. Fairhart advised prospective visitors to stay informed about current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning their trips to the region.