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CONTINUING COVERAGE: WILDFIRES Business booming at Prospect Hotel Between travelers and firefighters, rooms are full, kitchen is hopping By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2015 @ 4:32 pm Updated Aug 14, 2015 at 4:42 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2015 @ 4:32 pm Updated Aug 14, 2015 at 4:42 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Playing with fire: Stalwarts wait it out at Diamond Lake as flames march closer... » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> PROSPECT — Wildfires blanketing the Southern Oregon Cascades haven't slowed the flow of tourists stopping here on their way to and from Crater Lake National Park. Even with Highway 230 closed 20 miles up the Rogue River, Prospect Historic Hotel owner Fred Wickman hasn't so seen a dip in overnight stays. Meanwhile, he's fast and furiously feeding firefighters battling the National Creek fire complex.  "The fire is actually helping, even though our business is doing great," Wickman said. "When it comes to lodging and sales, we're setting record numbers. We had an excellent June and July with records over the previous years, and August is the same thing. It's adding up to a lot more no-vacancy nights than we normally have." When the controlling agencies began shutting off parts of Highway 230 earlier this week, vacationers continued driving to Crater Lake. "Other than being a hassle, there haven't been a whole lot of changes for us," Wickman said. "It's delaying people, and we're getting a lot of calls, but people can reroute several different ways, and they are." Given the regularity of fires in the region, Wickman saw an opportunity to help sustain his then-fledgling business eight years ago and has pursued annual contracts with the U.S. Forest Service ever since. "We get a call with a few hours notice, 'Can you feed X-number?' " Wickman said. "In this case, it started with 35, and as the fire grew and staffing grew it went to 55, 75 and then 85." Knowing the routine, Wickman stocks up ahead of time. "The standard answer when we're feeding firefighters is, 'Yes,' " he said.  When fire personnel numbers reach a triggering point, a catering vendor takes over the food service, and Wickman goes back to doting on his regular customers. Although it stands to reason that the hotel would add staffing, that's not the case. "There is nobody to hire right now," Wickman said. "Everybody that wants a job has one." While there isn't much competition for contracts in the immediate vicinity, Wickman said Prospect Cafe has reopened after a two-year hiatus, and Prospect Pizza doesn't have the capacity to handle a steady stream of hungry firefighters. In addition to serving travelers Wednesday, Prospect Historic Hotel cranked out breakfast for 130, sack lunches for 170 and 130 dinners for firefighters and support staff. There's no scrimping when it comes to the extra eaters. "Last Sunday night was prime rib night, and everyone had a slice of prime rib," Wickman said. "We have a lot more people eating with us, so we do have to modify the dinner-house hours." Of course, everything would change if fire carried into the national park and tourists either voluntarily stayed away or were told to leave the park. "If they shut down access to Crater Lake, then it would definitely turn off the business," Wickman said. "The main goal for people when they come up here the first time around is to see Crater Lake. Frequently, they come back because of all the wonders the Upper Rogue has to offer." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at  www.mailtribune.com/EconomicEdge . By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 14, 2015 @ 4:32 pm Updated Aug 14, 2015 at 4:42 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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