Especially as a company inside BC Licht at the end of the tunnel from the COVID-19 Pandemic, the early start of a potentially bad fire season makes them nervous again.
“It seems like it’s one thing at a time,” Tyler Speed, a boat captain with River Monster Adventures in Lilloot, told Global News.
“With everything that’s been going on recently, it’s very difficult to put a season together.”
BC Tourism Secretary is optimistic that US tourists could come this summer
With the lifting of travel restrictions, Speed had hoped for a boost in business. But the devastating fire in nearby Lytton and the growing number of fires in the area are having an impact.
This is a problem for Speed, who relies on the hot summer months for the best business.
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2:07
The Fairy Creek Exclusion Zone creates roadblocks for tourism companies
Fairy Creek Exclusion Zone creates roadblocks for tourism businesses – June 27, 2021
“We have a short summer season here and we are trying to make the most of it and we want to stay busy, but it’s difficult,” he said.
“We have a few months in which I have to be outside every day to bring food to the table.”
At 100 Mile House, Keith Jackson, owner of Jackson’s Social Club and Brewhouse, has a hard time not getting flashbacks to 2017.
Four years ago Sunday, the church was ordered to evacuate due to fast moving wildfire.
“I think here we are again,” said Jackson.
BC is preparing for the first weekend of relaxation but no international tourists yet
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“It’s like we’re almost going back to normal … we’re just starting to open up, we’re allowed back in, and the tourist season begins … and we’re looking forward to a busy summer.”
The fires have not affected the brewhouse for the time being.
1:18
Video shows wildfire east of Vernon
Video shows wildfire east of Vernon
Tourists are still flocking to town, and the small community’s population has even swelled with the arrival of firefighters and evacuees.
But he said local residents also take the threat seriously and vividly remember the 2017 experience.
“It would be nice to have a regular old summer,” he said.
On Sunday 277 wildfires broke out in British Columbia, of which 78 had started in the previous 48 hours.
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The vast majority of these southern inland fires and at least three have triggered extensive evacuation orders.
Back at Lillooet, Speed is hoping for a strong season but things are going well.
“We’re strong out here however, we keep digging and grinding and hope for the best, that’s all we can really do at the end of the day,” he said.
“It’s beautiful out here, spectacular scenery, the fishing is world class, we have huge fish on this river … there is something for everyone out here, be it fishing, scenery, animals, beaches.”
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