Jane Smith decided to visit Harrison Hot Springs to escape the smoky conditions caused by wildfires in British Columbia. She expressed her relief, mentioning that the air in Penticton, where she came from, was heavily polluted.
Mayor Fred Talen of Harrison Hot Springs confirmed an uptick in visitors seeking better air quality. Reports from Tourism Harrison River Valley also indicated an increase in guests, particularly from Washington state, the Okanagan, and the Lower Mainland.
The Harrison Grand Motel saw a 15% rise in bookings compared to the previous year, with Supervisor Bryon Mason noting an influx of guests looking to escape the wildfire smoke.
Visitors like Laura Wait and Patrick Olsen shared their experiences of seeking clearer skies in Harrison Hot Springs and other parts of the Fraser Valley due to poor air quality in their hometowns.
Despite the influx of tourists, air quality in the eastern Fraser Valley has deteriorated due to wildfire smoke, posing significant health risks according to the B.C. Ministry of Environment’s Air Quality Health Index.