The impact of the record wildfire season in British Columbia on travel bookings in some areas, but other areas have seen sustained demand for tourism despite their proximity to active fires.

Jason Upton, manager of the Lac Le Jeune resort south of Kamloops, says the resort is open but still in a state of evacuation readiness, and maintaining bookings is difficult because the Ross Moore Lake fire is burning just a few kilometers away.

Upton confirmed that the resort was on the verge of selling out over the upcoming long weekend, but the threat of the nearby fire led to the cancellation of all guests except for three.

Bryan Kant, interim president at 4VI, a travel and tourism agency on Vancouver Island, explained that the closure of Highway 4 to Tofino in June caused a "slight decrease" in overall trips to the island that month.

With no notable fires currently burning on Vancouver Island, Kant stated that operators indicated the long weekend in August would remain "the busiest time of the year" for tourism in the area.

The long weekend is also expected to be the busiest of the year for BC Ferries, which has been plagued by cancellations and long delays along with incorrect site information, but CEO Nicolas Jimenez said at a press conference this week that every vessel will operate at full capacity.

Kathy Cooper, CEO of Kootenay Rockies Tourism, noted that there has been a decline in business in parts of the region, but places like Cranbrook, just 15 kilometers south of active wildfires in the Saint Mary River, have already seen an increase in bookings this summer as the smoke has cleared in many communities.

Cooper says that in places where bookings have declined, factors like high gas prices may have a greater impact than the threat of wildfires.

She added, "In some areas, for example, in West Kootenay, the numbers haven't been as high as they were last year, but we don't necessarily attribute that specifically to the wildfires. There could be many different cost factors (such as) interest rates and the economy."

But the challenge facing operations that remain on evacuation alert is quite different.

Upton, at Lac Le Jeune resort, explains he cannot imagine bookings returning to normal without the nearby fire significantly retreating or being completely extinguished.

He adds, "It feels completely empty here, and I can't really blame people; if I had a family asking me what it’s like, I would be honest and say that you probably wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping here because these fires are two kilometers away, I’m looking out the window as we speak, and I see planes picking up water."

Upton also expressed concern about the damage to nearby camps, local wildlife, and the overall environment affecting what he considers the "crown jewel" of British Columbia, "this place for me is therapy."

He urges provincial officials to significantly enhance fire-fighting resources to protect British Columbia's environment.

Cooper mentions that the group is very active on social media, posting real-time images from around the region so "people can see what it actually looks like" at a given location "at this very hour."

She added, "When I come here, I find peace by looking at the lake and the trees and wildlife, and we all need that. It's so precious that I really hope it returns to how it was."