Dry and hot weather conditions have created additional challenges and considerations for summer travel. While emergency response crews work hard to respond to wildfires occurring across the province, our team is providing important information to travellers to help them make informed decisions and to visitors in the area, residents, and local businesses to help them stay safe and up-to-date on current conditions.
Through our various channels, our team continues to remind visitors to travel safely and responsibly. We continue to share wildfire prevention and safety tips, as well as information on current conditions. When and if needed, we will activate our communications response plan and work in close collaboration with industry, government, and tourism marketing partners.
What can Your Business do to Help?
Wildfires impact locals, visitors, and businesses in many ways and can potentially affect or influence those who may be planning a trip to our province. Here are some things you can do to help:
- Use the key messages and official sources that follow to keep visitors and locals informed and to remind everyone to travel safely and responsibly.
- Use #RealTimeKelowna so visitors in our region, and those planning for future trips, have an accurate, ‘real time’ view of current conditions so they can see the many activities that can be safely enjoyed. Be sure to include the date and time the image or video was taken.
- Share the link to our Current Conditions in Kelowna webpage, which includes a live feed from our webcam located at the Kelowna Visitor Centre that can be viewed anytime, and to our Outdoor Safety webpage.
- Share information and updates about your business by tagging us—and using #exploreKelowna—on social media and by contacting our Visitor Experience Team so we can keep visitors and residents informed.
Key Messages
- Know before you go. The current wildfire situation in British Columbia can change quickly and it’s important to be prepared and remain alert to stay safe. Information is available on Tourism Kelowna’s website to help you plan and make informed travel decisions; their visitor experience team is also available to answer questions. Stay informed through official information sources that are providing important updates for your safety.
- Please travel safely and responsibly. We have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of the communities we live in and visit. We’re asking everyone to do their part, be mindful of the conditions, and make safe and responsible decisions. Please follow the guidance from any emergency response personnel in place and adhere to any alerts or orders in place. Please stay clear from any areas where a response effort is underway to help emergency responders do their important work.
Destination BC has also prepared Emergency Messaging Guidance for BC's tourism industry as well as Safe and Responsible Travel Graphics.
Stay Safe, Stay Informed
Sharing information from official sources only is extremely important during emergency situations, like wildfires. Below are official resources where you'll find reliable, up-to-date information that can inform your team and assist visitors as they plan their trip to our region. Be sure to distribute these resources to your team members and follow the social media accounts listed throughout for the most current information.
Current Conditions in Kelowna
Our Current Conditions in Kelowna webpage—which is now easily accessible through a banner at the top of our website—provides a variety of useful links, including contact information for our Visitor Experience team, and displays #RealTimeKelowna views from our webcam at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. Information on wildfire prevention and safety can be found on our Outdoor Safety page.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre
For information on any current emergencies in the Central Okanagan Regional District.
PreparedBC
PreparedBC has created step-by-step guides specific to the tourism industry, linked below, which will help ensure you and your team are ready in an emergency situation.
PreparedBC's social media channels:
BC WildFire Service
- BC Wildfire Dashboard: An interactive map of all active wildfires across the province.
- Wildfires of Note: Listings by fire centre, with additional information on each wildfire of note.
- Fire Bans and Restrictions
The BC Wildfire Service's social media channels:
EmergencyInfoBC
Find information about emergencies in BC, including evacuation orders and alerts, and information on Emergency Support Services Reception Centres. Follow EmergencyInfoBC on Twitter.
BC Air Quality Index
Provides current and forecasted air quality information, as well as health messages for the current conditions.
DriveBC
Find information about road closures, major events, and transportation delays. Follow DriveBC on Twitter.
BC Parks
Information regarding Provincial campgrounds and park closures.
BC Parks' social media channels:
Recreation Sites and Trails B.C.
Alerts, closures, and warnings regarding BC’s rustic campsites and recreational trails.
Environment Canada
Resource for the latest weather information, statements, and air quality advisories.
Red Cross
- Evacuees can register with the Red Cross by calling 1-800-863-6582, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST. Follow Red Cross BC & Yukon on Twitter.
If you have questions or need further information about Tourism Kelowna's marketing and communications activities during wildfire season, please contact Director of Marketing & Communications, Chris Shauf at chris.shauf@tourismkelowna.com or call (250) 861-1515 ext. 203.