A young boy鈥檚 excitement over a special birthday trip was quickly dashed Friday morning.

Justine Holgesen and her son woke up early Aug. 18 to drive from their Salmon Arm home to catch a flight.

鈥淚 was trying to take my son to see his grandparents in Toronto for his seventh birthday,鈥� said Holgesen.

As she drove up Highway 97, seeing thick smoke coming from Kelowna, she didn鈥檛 have a good feeling.

Arriving at Kelowna International Airport (YLW), her gut feeling was confirmed. All flights were cancelled.

Wildfires in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country have forced the closure of airspace around YLW.

鈥淭he priority is the safety of our community and to allow access to the airspace required by aerial firefighters,鈥� said Cassie Brannagan, communications advisor. 鈥淲e appreciate travellers鈥� patience with this evolving situation. 鈥淭ravellers are asked to check with their airline for the most up-to-date flight information before coming to the airport.鈥�

Holgesen was heartbroken for her son.

鈥淗e was so dissappointed. He had been looking forward to this trip to see his Nana and Papa for weeks.鈥�

She鈥檚 hoping to catch a flight out of Kamloops to make the special trip possible.

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