Wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan region are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, even though the valley is located far from the fires. Jessica Fairhart, who leads the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, mentions that the province’s state of emergency due to wildfires is influencing 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 wildfires in the Okanagan.
Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray reassures that the community is not under threat from wildfires, and local businesses, hotels, and attractions are operating as usual. Amber Roy, the owner of Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, notes a decline in August bookings following a strong July. Concerned out-of-province guests have contacted her after seeing wildfire reports on social media, unsure of the actual distance of the fires.
Roy emphasizes that the state of emergency in B.C. is not affecting all regions, but only specific areas. She dispels worries about tourist accommodations being taken up by wildfire evacuees, clarifying that this is not the case in her vicinity. Fairhart adds that several businesses in the area are reporting similar concerns from travelers, leading to a decrease in visits over the past few weeks. Nonetheless, bookings for late August and September seem to be on the rise.
Although Roy’s lodge hasn’t seen an immediate increase in bookings for the remainder of the month, she hopes for a surge in last-minute trips to help recover from a wildfire-related power outage during the peak summer period. The Columbia Valley has encountered periods of heavy smoke this season, raising additional worries among tourists. Fairhart advises potential visitors to stay updated on current wildfire and smoke conditions before embarking on their travel plans.