2025 has begun with news of terrible fires. In California, of course, where wildfires have claimed more than two dozen lives and destroyed thousands of homes. But in BC as well where a fire did so much damage to the community of Telegraph Cove on New Year's Eve.
For those who don't know, Telegraph Cove is a tiny village on the east coast of Vancouver Island north of Campbell River. Until the fire it featured an historic boardwalk and a first-class whale museum. It is also considered one of the best places in the world to observe whales, particularly orca and humpback, in the wild. I visited for the first time in 1987 when my wife and I took our kids whale-watching and I've returned two or three times over the years.
The Whale Interpretive Centre, with its unique collection of whale skeletons, burned in the fire. But the folks there are determined to rebuild. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help them.