Jane Smith visited Harrison Hot Springs to escape the smoky conditions caused by wildfires in British Columbia. She mentioned that she and her companions were coming from a smoky Penticton. Mayor Fred Talen of Harrison Hot Springs acknowledged an influx of visitors seeking better air quality. Talen mentioned that the town had seen an increase in visitors from Washington state, the Okanagan, and the Lower Mainland in recent weeks.
Tourism Harrison River Valley reported an uptick in bookings from various accommodations, particularly from guests looking to escape the smoke and poor air quality. The organization noted a surge in calls from the Okanagan region for August reservations. The Harrison Grand Motel experienced a 15% increase in bookings year over year, with supervisor Bryon Mason attributing the rise to visitors seeking refuge from the wildfire smoke.
Visitors shared their relief at Harrison Hot Springs’ cleaner air compared to their smoky hometowns. Laura Wait and her family changed their vacation plans from Penticton to Harrison due to the poor air quality. Similarly, tourist Patrick Olsen from Kelowna sought a clearer environment in Chilliwack for his running training due to the smoky conditions in his city. Fire Chief Aaron Foote of Squamish noted increased tourism in the area, possibly due to backcountry restrictions and wildfires in the province.
Despite the temporary respite, air quality deteriorated in the Fraser Valley, including Harrison and Chilliwack, as wildfire smoke persisted. The B.C. Ministry of Environment’s Air Quality Health Index rated the air quality in the region as a very high health risk. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by visitors seeking cleaner air amid the wildfire season.