“There are real economic damages from these fires.”
During testimony before the state house Oversight Committee Jack Trebtoske with the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association said many businesses were damaged by the dense Canadian wildfire smoke this summer.
“Golf courses were closed for days. Concerts all around the state were cancelled. Noto’s at the Bil-Mar in Grand Haven had to shut down their iconic patio on the beach of Lake Michigan for two straight days.”
Republican state representative Luke Meerman of Coopersville says it’s the worst wildfire smoke he has ever seen.
“I don’t ever remember this happening. Vacation plans changing over smoke in the past. Has this ever happened before? No, to me this is new. It’s a new thing for our state, unfortunately.”
A recent study estimates wildfire smoke cost Michigan businesses 4 billion dollars so far in 2026 and Trebtoske says the impact could be felt for years.
“How does that effect people next year when they are budgeting for their trips? Michigan had wildfires last year maybe we don’t go there this year.”
Trebtoske recommends a 3-million-dollar Pure Michigan campaign to promote fall tourism. And representative William Bruck of Erie says the state should also:
“Write a strongly written letter to Canada. Fix the problem its screwing us up.”
