Good morning {{First name}}!

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the harrowing wildfire situation in BC’s Interior, you may be relieved to know that rain is in the forecast for parts of the Thompson-Okanagan region. Hopefully, lightning doesn’t accompany it.

Our first story today looks at how one Victoria organization is helping rescue cats and dogs from the region.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀ 22 / 14

Tomorrow: ☀ 23 / 14

Day after: ☀ 19 / 14

7-day forecast

The Victoria Humane Society (VHS) told Capital Daily that it received 33 cats, including kittens, on Sunday, as more than 20K people fled their homes amid evacuation orders in BC.

It's the society's second emergency transfer due to wildfires in under a week. Last Wednesday, the non-profit said it received 34 animals—13 puppies, one adult dog, and 20 kittens—that "narrowly escaped the wildfires near Williams Lake."

"Following a long, smoky journey from the Central Cariboo, our volunteers met our BC rescue partners in Tsawwassen to bring them safely home," the VHS wrote in a social media post.

The animals were brought to safety by a man who drove overnight through "horrific conditions" to get them out of the evacuation zones, according to the VHS. Rescue partners and volunteers then helped transport them to the Lower Mainland.

The Cariboo region currently has more than 200K ha of forest burning, according to BC Wildfire Service. The region has been dealing with a number of out-of-control wildfires for nearly a month. 

The VHS says it anticipates more emergency animal rescues from throughout BC as the summer unfolds. The group of cats received by the society this weekend came a day after the province declared a state of emergency as wildfire activity ramped up. 

"Sadly, we expect more emergency transports like this throughout the summer," VHS said.

Off-road vehicles prohibited on provincial Crown land in some parts of the Coastal Fire Centre, including the South Island, due to wildfire risk. [BC Gov]

Esquimalt reminding public not to use drones near military base.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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Growing up on Salt Spring Island, Tara Martin remembers the wildflowers, Garry oak meadows, and understory plants that used to thrive across the southern Gulf Islands short decades ago. 

Over the last 50 years, native black tail deer have exploded in population across the islands eating through almost all natural plant vegetation and new tree saplings in their wake. 

“Imagine in 200 years time, when all this current cohort [of trees] dies, what are we left with? A very very depopulated forest and meadow ecosystem,” Martin said.

Martin, who is now an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, runs the Martin Conservation Decisions Lab on Salt Spring and has studied the impact of deer populations on the islands for 20 years. 

When settlers arrived on the islands, they removed many of the natural predators that would keep the number of deer in check, leaving the perfect conditions for deer populations to explode. 

She says the new generations have no concept of how lush and diverse the islands were, and what was lost. Most Indigenous medicinal plants, key for pollinators in Garry oak meadows, have now disappeared. 

Read the full story here.

Summer isn't over yet.

Experience Four Winds Weekend on August 22–23, featuring Indigenous dance, drumming, artists, and storytelling.

Through August, discover birds of prey, hands-on creative workshops, live performances, and Canada's first enclosed glass cube experience.

At Malahat SkyWalk, there's always more to discover.

🎣 Gone fishin’: See a photo of the annual children’s fishing derby at the breakwater, captured in the 1960s. [Facebook photo]

📚 Russell Books warehouse sale: Browse thousands of books, all $5 or less. Aug. 14-16, 10am-6pm. [Details]

🥒 Picklefest is this Saturday at Phillips Backyard. [Info]

🐌 Moon snail vs clam: See the shelled creatures battle it out. [Facebook video]

BC deficit $3B lower than forecast 
BC's 2025-26 deficit came in at $7.7B, more than $3B below its initial forecast. The province says this is thanks to higher revenue, including a settlement from the tobacco industry, and $4B in delayed capital spending. However, the provincial debt rose by about $700M from the previous forecast to $154.7B. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says projects that were postponed by spending cuts—which includes UVic's 510-bed housing project—will still move forward. [CP / Times Colonist]

BC's police watchdog investigates VicPD arrest after injury reported
The Independent Investigations Office is examining a VicPD file after a man claimed he was injured during his June 7 arrest at a liquor store on Wilson. Police say they arrested the man after he tried to enter a store he was barred from and took him to the station. He reported the injury on July 6. The IIO is now seeking witnesses and video footage as it determines whether serious harm occurred and if it's linked to officer conduct. [CHEK]

Saanich Fire send help to wildfire zones
Three Saanich firefighters deployed Saturday, joining crews from across the country and internationally to fight wildfires in BC's interior this week. Last month, Sidney Fire sent three members. As of yesterday, 105 fires burned provincewide. [Black Press]

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🎶 Grayson Lenner: Drop by Ship Point at lunch for a free indie folk set from Grayson Lenner today. 12-1pm. [Info]

🎸 Sean Lyons: The alt-rock singer will take the Ship Point busker stage today. 4-5pm. [Info]

🎵 Sofia Miller: Catch a free evening of alt-folk from Sofia Miller at Ship Point today. 5:30-7:30pm. [Info

💃 Lelolai FAM: Bring the kids to Cameron Bandshell for a free interactive concert blending Latin music and culture tomorrow. 11am-12pm. [Info]

🏃 TFA Fitness: Swing by Ship Point for a free drop-in fitness class with The Fitness Academy—bring your own mat—at Ship Point tomorrow. 12–1pm. [Info]

🇻🇳 Soul of Vietnam: Soak in Vietnamese culture, with food, music, and fashion to explore at Ship Point. Sunday. 11am-8pm. [Info]

Sunday's headlines: Victoria youth shelter the target of hateful graffiti; Weekly roundup; Grandmothers for Africa begin fundraising ride. [Aug.10]

Child who prompted Porter Air flight cancellation in Victoria shouldn't be blamed, says other passenger. [CHEK]

New Dallas washrooms to open by end of month. [Times Colonist]

Summer Read Club participants can now pick up their medals at any Greater Victoria Public Library branch. [GVPL]

Princess Belle: Meet the newest addition to Beacon Hill Children's Farm’s goat herd, described as a “great fluffy ball of joy.” [BHCF]

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