West Kelowna

Shortly after 6 a.m. today, both Highway 97 and Highway 97 C re-opened to the public after three days of closure due to a forest fire in the region. Officials and crews have deemed the highway safe to drive after assessing the forest fire risk. This is great news for travellers who no longer have to take lengthy detours to the area.

“Businesses, hotels, campgrounds, beaches and parks are open for the public to enjoy,” says Leah Thordarson, Visitor Centre Manager for West Kelowna.

“We thank everyone for their patience during this serious crisis that our community faced. We are extremely grateful to the emergency crews and volunteers for assisting displaced visitors and community members alike, as well as the many local businesses that donated food and items to the evacuees and working crews.”

Travellers to the area should still check road conditions prior to their trip and links to DriveBC.ca and BC Wildfire.ca can be found on the West Kelowna tourism bureau’s website www.tourismwestside.com.

Local accommodations are open, with the exception of Seclusion Bay, and any reservations made with West Kelowna accommodators are secure. Friendly and helpful staff at the West Kelowna/Westbank Visitor Centre are available to assist tourists with any questions that they might have regarding accommodations as well as fire and road accessibility updates. The Visitor Centre is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., seven days a week. Phone and email inquires can also be made at 250.768.3378 or at chamber@westbankchamber.com.