How the wildfire season is impacting Okanagan businesses

Businesses in the Okanagan Valley that rely on tourism “will certainly feel a hit” due the intense wildfire season British Columbia has seen this year, said Michael Magnusson, executive director of the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce. 

But with so many people forced to evacuate their homes due to the Bald Range fire, business owners aren’t focusing on that right now, he said. 

“They’re looking at how can I help those that are impacted by this wildfire?'” Magnusson said in an interview with CBC News. 

“So it’s a sense of having that perspective … it’s all hands on deck right now when it comes to help.”

However, with explosive wildfires now becoming the norm year after year, businesses are starting to plan ahead, he said. 

“I think a lot of people, when they do their budgets now, are budgeting for an event like this so that they’re not taken unawares if something like this does happen.”