Can I still do a wine tour in Kelowna during wildfire season or when there is smoke in the air?

Can I Still Do a Wine Tour in Kelowna During Wildfire Season or When There Is Smoke in the Air?

Often, yes — but it depends on the actual conditions in Kelowna on the day of your tour. Wildfire season does not automatically mean that wine tours are cancelled. When wineries are open, roads are accessible, and local conditions are suitable, Red Dog Wine Tours can continue operating normally.

Wildfire conditions can vary considerably within British Columbia. A fire may be burning many kilometres away while conditions in Kelowna remain suitable for a wine tour. On other days, smoke, poor air quality, road closures, evacuation orders, or winery closures may affect the tour.

There are several things we consider when deciding whether a tour should operate:

• Local air quality — Smoke levels and the current Air Quality Health Index are important considerations, particularly for guests who are sensitive to smoke.
• Road and highway conditions — Road closures, evacuation zones, travel restrictions, and changing wildfire conditions can affect access to wineries.
• Winery operations — If a winery closes because of wildfire conditions, evacuation orders, staffing issues, or other circumstances, the itinerary may need to change.
• Official advisories — We take evacuation orders, travel restrictions and other official safety directions seriously.
• Guest comfort and safety — Even when a tour can technically operate, unusually poor air quality may make it inappropriate for some guests.

Most wine tasting takes place indoors in winery tasting rooms, and our tour vehicles are enclosed and air-conditioned. Outdoor patios and vineyard areas may be available depending on conditions, but they are not essential to enjoying the wine-tasting experience.

Smoke can also affect the views. On smoky days, the mountains and Okanagan Lake may be less visible and the landscape can look quite different from a clear summer day. If the air quality is suitable, however, the wineries themselves can still provide an enjoyable experience.

What Happened During the 2023 West Kelowna Wildfires?

The 2023 West Kelowna wildfire is a good example of why conditions need to be evaluated locally rather than simply looking at a headline about wildfires in British Columbia.

During that event, Red Dog Wine Tours monitored the situation closely. There were periods when tours could not operate normally because of wildfire-related circumstances, including winery closures and official travel considerations. We did not simply assume that tours should continue because the wineries were outside the immediate fire area.

That experience reinforced an important rule we follow: the safety of our guests, staff and the communities we visit comes first.

Will Smoke Ruin the Views on My Kelowna Wine Tour?

It can. Even relatively moderate smoke can create haze and reduce visibility of Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains. However, the severity can vary considerably from one day to another.

If conditions are suitable for touring, we focus on the parts of the experience that are less affected by smoke — the wineries, wine tastings, hosts, food, wine-country scenery and the relaxed social experience of the tour.

Do You Cancel Wine Tours Because of Wildfire Smoke?

Not automatically. Smoke by itself does not necessarily mean that a tour must be cancelled. We look at the actual local conditions and the circumstances affecting the wineries and roads on the day of the tour.

However, we will not operate a tour when conditions or official restrictions make doing so unsafe or impractical. If a tour cannot operate because of wildfire conditions, we will communicate with affected guests and follow our cancellation policy.

What Should I Do If I Am Sensitive to Smoke?

If you are particularly sensitive to wildfire smoke or have concerns about air quality, check the current conditions before your tour and contact us if you are unsure whether the experience will be appropriate for you.

You may also want to bring a suitable mask for smoky conditions. Outdoor activities can be limited when smoke is present, even when indoor winery tastings continue.

How Can I Check Wildfire and Air Quality Conditions?

For current conditions, use official wildfire and air-quality information rather than relying solely on social media or older news reports. Conditions can change quickly.

For information about your specific Red Dog Wine Tour, contact us directly. We can tell you what we are seeing locally and whether wineries and routes are operating normally.

Contact Red Dog Wine Tours:
Phone: 1-866-477-5266
Text / WhatsApp: 1-250-575-1723
Email: reddogwinetours@gmail.com

Bottom line: Don’t assume that wildfire season means you cannot enjoy wine country in Kelowna. At the same time, don’t assume that every day will be suitable for touring. Conditions are assessed locally and can change quickly. If you have a tour booked and are concerned about smoke or wildfire conditions, contact us and we’ll give you the most accurate information we have for your tour date.

Last updated: 2026. Wildfire, air-quality, road and winery conditions can change quickly.