Wildfire smoke, extreme heat force B.C. Interior Pride societies to move up annual celebrations

A pair of B.C. Interior Pride societies are moving their celebrations earlier in the year after several summers of wildfire smoke and extreme heat have forced postponements and even cancellations of highly anticipated Pride week events. 

This year, Vernon Pride Week will be held from June 2 to 8, followed by Kamloops Pride Week from June 9 to 15. 

Both follow Kelowna's Pride Week, which will run from May 26 until June 1. 

Kamloops Pride Society President Alyssa Christianson said her team worked with Vernon's group to move their events from August to June — International Pride Month. 

Working together meant their events wouldn't overlap, which is important because people in the Interior like to travel to each city's Pride celebrations, Christianson said.

"We find a lot of Pride tourism just from community members. A lot of people come to Kamloops from Vernon, Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Cariboo."

But the biggest reason to make the change, she said, was to avoid the possibility of heavy smoke and dangerous heat, both of which are highly likely during August in B.C.'s Interior.

In 2021, 740 people across B.C. died from heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. 

Climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of wildfires across the country. Not only is it unpleasant and, in some cases, unsafe to be outside for the parade and other events, wildfires have also caused travel restrictions in years past, resulting in the postponement or cancellation of events. 

"In the previous three years, 2023 was our worst year for wildfire and Pride planning," Christianson said.  

Outdoor events had to be moved inside, and a drag show was postponed for two months when Vancouver performers weren't able to travel to Kamloops during an intense wildfire season. 

Christianson said volunteers were on high alert the morning of the parade, waiting to see if the smoke would fade long enough for folks to be outdoors for the day. 

"It's definitely stressful every year."

So far, Christianson said the Pride Society has received positive feedback on the change. Several folks have noted that they will be able to attend for the first time, as past events have overlapped with summer holiday travel.