Alexandra Lodge, a gold rush-era landmark, survives B.C. wildfire
The gold rush-era Alexandra Lodge in southwestern British Columbia has survived a wildfire that came perilously close. The owners, Shirley and Ken MacKinnon, expressed relief after the landmark, built in 1863 and refurbished a century ago, remained standing. Shirley explained that the lodge, which has roots tracing back to B.C.'s gold rush era and hosted royalty like the king of Siam in the 1930s, would have been devastatingly lost after their recent restoration efforts.
The BC Wildfire Service reported that the "leading edge of the fire" passed by the lodge, situated next to the Trans-Canada Highway in the Fraser Canyon. Fire crews are currently mopping up around the site, conducting danger tree assessments and addressing falling debris. The wildfire, Ainslie Creek, has now expanded to over 651 square kilometres.
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