Wildfires in British Columbia’s Okanagan area are impacting tourism in the Columbia Valley, located several hours away. Although the Columbia Valley is distant from the fires, the provincewide state of emergency has influenced some travelers’ decisions. The region encompasses communities like Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, and Fairmont Hot Springs, approximately 300 kilometers away from the wildfires in the Okanagan.
Radium Hot Springs Mayor Mike Gray reassures that the community is not under immediate threat from wildfires, with local businesses, hotels, and attractions operating as usual. Amber Roy, owner of the Wilder Lodge in Fairmont Hot Springs, notes a decline in August bookings following strong July reservations. Out-of-province guests, alarmed by social media reports of wildfires, have inquired about visiting, unsure of the actual distance from the affected areas.
Roy emphasizes that the fear surrounding the state of emergency does not extend to all of British Columbia, only specific regions. Concerns have also emerged regarding potential competition for accommodations between tourists and wildfire evacuees, which Roy clarifies is not an issue in her locality. The tourism association has reported similar anxieties among other businesses in the area, leading to a recent decline in visitor numbers.
Despite the recent downturn, bookings are showing signs of improvement for the end of August and September, according to Fairhart. Roy remains hopeful for a last-minute surge in bookings to aid in recovering from a recent power outage linked to the wildfires. With the tourist season primarily concentrated in July and August, time is running out to make up for lost revenue.
Although the Columbia Valley is not directly impacted by the major wildfires, intermittent heavy smoke has been a concern this summer. Fairhart advises prospective visitors to monitor current wildfire and smoke conditions before heading to the region.
