The first person registered at the Princeton evacuee centre last Friday night was also the first person to lose her home to the out-of-control blaze.

Laila Bird, 81-years-old and a well-known local volunteer and personality, learned Tuesday morning that her home on Highway 5A had been severely damaged by the fire.

She was not informed through official channels, but saw a picture of her house on a neighbour害羞草研究所檚 phone, showing a caved in roof.

RDOS has confirmed damage to two houses.

The colorful and vibrant president of the Princeton Hospital Auxiliary seemed equal parts shaken and resolute after receiving the news.

She agreed to an interview with The Spotlight on the condition that 害羞草研究所渘o one feels sorry for me. I will take support and friendship, though..and please make the story funny.害羞草研究所�

Bird has been staying at a motel since she and her son William were hustled from their home Friday, shortly after the fire started.

She admitted to being a reluctant evacuee, and received several visits from Fortis BC and RCMP before packing up her dog, and her dog害羞草研究所檚 belongings, and driving to town.

She finally fled when an RCMP officer parked in her driveway and indicated he wasn害羞草研究所檛 leaving until she did.

害羞草研究所淲ell, when you are under attack, you want to attack back. I chose to do that with a sprinkler.害羞草研究所�

Well-known for her wisdom and sense of humor, Bird remarked: 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very inconvenient to find a forest fire on your back steps. It害羞草研究所檚 a damned nuisance.害羞草研究所�

(In a previous conversation with The Spotlight that was the same way she described having cancer.)

When asked to recall the possessions she grieved for most, she was at first stumped, then recollections came to her in starts.

The tomato plants and green peppers.

害羞草研究所淲ell, they害羞草研究所檙e gone.害羞草研究所�

A pith helmet, a gift from many years ago.

害羞草研究所淭hat might survive, pith helmets are quite strong you know.害羞草研究所�

She escaped with no clothes, and explained she had just hung the laundry out when she was served with the evacuation order.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 probably dry now, do you think?害羞草研究所�

Personal photos and records are presumably lost, and she shrugged her shoulders.

She did regret, she admitted, forgetting to grab the batteries to her hearing aid.

害羞草研究所淥n the bright side, I am going to get a whole new wardrobe.害羞草研究所�

When asked what she needs most now she answered: 害羞草研究所淎 teapot, and toe nail clippers. I had a really wonderful pair of toenail clippers.害羞草研究所�

Bird is unsure what she will do next, but she is relieved her home was insured, and she promised to rebuild.

害羞草研究所淚t is hard. It is stressful. But William and I are still here and the property is still there and Allison Creek is still running through it.

害羞草研究所淧eople go through things. And they get over them. And we will too.害羞草研究所�