Supporting Seniors Through Wildfire Season
Every summer, people across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, and the Okanagan keep an eye on wildfire updates.
For many older adults, wildfire season brings more than smoky skies. It can bring uncertainty, fear, and difficult memories from previous evacuation seasons.
Whether you’re a senior navigating wildfire season yourself or you’re supporting an aging parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbour, emotional well-being deserves just as much attention as physical safety.
If you’d like to learn more about mental well-being in our community, our guide to Mental Health in the Okanagan explores many of the emotional challenges people experience throughout the region.
Why Wildfire Season Can Be Harder for Older Adults
Wildfires create uncertainty.
Plans change quickly.
News updates can be constant.
Smoke can make it difficult to enjoy everyday routines.
For older adults, these challenges are sometimes made even harder by:
- Reduced mobility
- Chronic health conditions
- Living alone
- Limited transportation
- Feeling isolated
- Previous experiences with emergencies or natural disasters
Even when a wildfire isn’t immediately nearby, weeks of smoke and emergency alerts can leave people feeling anxious or emotionally drained.
The Emotional Impact of Wildfires
Not everyone experiences wildfire season in the same way.
Some seniors may appear calm on the outside while carrying significant worry internally.
Others may notice:
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling restless
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed by constant news
- Fear of needing to evacuate
For people who experienced major wildfire seasons in the past, new fires can also bring back memories that still feel surprisingly vivid.
These reactions are understandable and don’t mean someone is “overreacting.”
How Family Members Can Help
If someone you care about is feeling anxious during wildfire season, you don’t have to solve every problem.
Often, the most meaningful support comes from simply being present.
You might:
- Check in with a phone call or visit.
- Help prepare an emergency kit.
- Offer transportation if smoke becomes severe.
- Share reliable wildfire information instead of social media rumours.
- Encourage regular meals, hydration, and rest.
- Spend time together indoors when air quality is poor.
Small acts of connection can make a big difference during uncertain times.
Managing News and Social Media
Staying informed is important.
Constantly refreshing wildfire maps or scrolling through social media often isn’t.
Many people find that checking trusted updates once or twice a day helps them stay informed without becoming overwhelmed.
Limiting exposure to rumours and alarming headlines can also reduce unnecessary stress.
Looking After Emotional Health
Wildfire season can disrupt normal routines, and routine is often comforting.
Simple activities can help restore a sense of stability.
Consider:
- Reading or listening to audiobooks.
- Calling friends or family.
- Gentle indoor stretching or movement.
- Working on puzzles or hobbies.
- Listening to calming music.
- Keeping a regular daily schedule.
These activities won’t remove uncertainty, but they can help create moments of calm.
If you’ve noticed ongoing feelings of overwhelm, our article on Nervous System Overwhelm explains why our bodies sometimes remain on high alert during stressful situations.
When Previous Wildfires Still Affect You
For some people, each wildfire season brings back memories of past evacuations, losing property, or worrying about loved ones.
Even years later, your body may respond as though the danger is happening again.
You may feel more alert, have trouble relaxing, or notice your mind constantly preparing for the worst.
If this sounds familiar, our article on Living in Survival Mode explores why these reactions can continue long after a stressful event has passed.
How Counselling Can Help
It’s okay if wildfire season affects you more than you expected.
Counselling offers a space to talk about your experiences, process difficult emotions, and develop practical ways to manage stress and uncertainty.
Whether you’re coping with anxiety, grief, previous wildfire experiences, or simply feeling emotionally exhausted, you don’t have to face it alone.
Support can help you feel more grounded and confident during challenging seasons.
A Gentle Next Step
Wildfire season reminds us that some things are outside our control.
What we can control is how we care for ourselves and one another.
If you or someone you love is finding wildfire season emotionally difficult, counselling can provide a safe space to talk through those experiences and build coping strategies for the future.
If you’re in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, or elsewhere in the Okanagan, Contact Orchard Valley Counselling to learn how we can support you.