Wildfires raging in the Okanagan region of British Columbia are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, even though it is located at a considerable distance from the fires. Jessica Fairhart, the executive director of the Columbia Valley Tourism Marketing Society, notes that the provincewide state of emergency due to the wildfires has influenced some travelers’ decisions.
The Columbia Valley, which encompasses areas like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, is approximately 300 kilometers away from the wildfires in the Okanagan. Despite this distance, Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray reassures that the community is not under immediate threat from the fires, and local businesses, hotels, and attractions are operating as usual.
Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, reports a decline in August bookings following a strong month of July. Concerned out-of-province guests, who have seen news of the wildfires on social media, are inquiring about the conditions in the area. Roy emphasizes that the wildfires have not impacted her region directly but acknowledges the fear stemming from the state of emergency.
While some tourists have expressed worries about taking accommodations needed by wildfire evacuees, Roy clarifies that this is not the situation in her vicinity. Fairhart mentions that other businesses in the area are also facing similar concerns from tourists, leading to a decrease in visitor numbers over recent weeks. However, she remains optimistic as bookings are showing an upward trend for the end of August and September.
Despite the challenges, Roy hopes for a potential surge in last-minute trips to the area to help recover from a wildfire-related power outage that occurred during the August long weekend, a peak period for tourism. The Columbia Valley, although far from the major wildfires, has encountered periods of heavy smoke this summer, prompting prospective visitors to monitor current wildfire and smoke conditions before planning their trips.