THE WILDFIRE !!

 In mid August 2025, an accidental fire sparked on the road to Bamfeild, BC on Vancouver Island in Western Canada and spread out into the forest on Mt. Underwood. It doubled in size overnight and quickly grew out of control. As a layer of ash began to fall on a quiet, bright sunny day in Port Alberni, a silent tower of smoke began to rise high above Mt. Underwood. The fire looked like it was making a bee line directly towards the Best B&B on 1st Ave in Port Alberni proper but the fire was still a very far 12 kms away.

   We have learned from our previous wildfire experience at our previous B&B that evacuation was not going to be imminent. We tried to comfort nervous townies and Best B&B guests and vacation travellers. We kept promoting to tourists but packed our bug-out-bag just in case we had to leave Port Alberni and we listened to

the local radio station, 93.3 the Peak, for information.

   At our previous B&B, The Elephant Hill fire reached within 1 km of town before the evacuation order was announced. The sky was pitch black and a flat, red circle sun hung glowing in the darkness like you would see on a child's Halloween drawing. Low flying Helicopters clipped overhead and a parade of deafening water bombers dashed back and forth between Mamette Lake and Tunkwa where the forest fire was blazing.

After we received the evacuation order, we evacuated our guests first and then when they were gone we calmly filed out to the car with our bag, dog and pet bird. Our neighbours all down the street were doing the same thing. Some people waved and honked their horns as they drove away. Realtor Ron across the street rebelliously leaned up against his collector car and had a smoke. "Hey, put that out a**hole!", scolded an angry woman from a passing pick up. Ron laughed and flipped them one. Someone else hollered strangely joyfully and omnisciently, "Good Luck everyone!"

   On the highway out of town to the evacuation center the sides of the road were on fire and embers were starting to sweep across the asphalt. We talked about what we would do if we lost everything. It was a practical, fearless conversation. It would just be a fresh start and at least we wouldn't have to clean the garage. We both felt more sad for the wild animals and our problems didn't matter as much. I gazed up to the tree tops to see how the vulture's nest was doing. Hans and Ingrid were still there, perched on the very edge of their gigantic bundle of intertwined sticks, watching the cars go by.

   Ten long, days later it poured rain and finally settled the fire. The whole town was saved but all of the forest around it burned. The evacuation order was rescinded and we returned to the B&B and resumed business. Happily, Hans and Ingrid and their nest survived and a week later bright, green grass and tiny daisies started growing under all the blackened trees.

   What have we learned from an evacuation process? Always have a bug-out-bag ready to go even if there isn't a fire. Don't put your whole life in there, just a change of clothes, toiletries, documents and technology and your pets and their food. Have a fire plan. Where will you stay when you get evacuated? Check in at the evacuation center so that town officials know where you are but you don't have to stay there if you have a better place to go outside the evacuation zone. Most people and homes and businesses survive a fire. If you have a business, stay in business until the very last minute if your services are needed, and they usually are. Listen to fire officials and be fire smart in and out of the bush. The Mt Underwood fire is currently under control but still burning. The Best B&B is still open and we remain to serve you with our comfy, clean and safe accomodation.