‘We have accommodation,’ Grand Forks Mayor says

GRAND FORKS (NEWS 1130) — The mayor of Grand Forks is shutting down claims made on social media that his city is overwhelmed by wildfire evacuees and doesn’t want tourists.

A post on the Osoyoos Connect Facebook page urged tourists leaving Osoyoos due to evacuations, not to head to Grand Forks.

Brian Taylor says Grand Forks appreciates the tourism.

“You still have things that you can do within Grand Forks, in the local area. We have a lot of trails and things that are still going to be open, but I don’t see a big conflict here in us still entertaining some tourism here — we really need it.”

Taylor says they welcome tourists who are being forced to leave Osoyoos.

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“We’re definitely not overwhelmed if people are concerned. We have accommodation”

Even with the smoke, Taylor is encouraging people to come visit the city.

“[We don’t like] to discourage tourism because we do have all kinds of things that people could be doing here. There’s accommodation available at motels and various other locations, so we’re in good shape here, and our arms are open to anybody experiencing difficulties in the region.”