Aug 12 - Wesley Ridge Fire being held

Good morning !

Willows Beach is back under a no-swim advisory due to high enterococci (poop) levels. Unfortunately for me, this alert came a day after I went swimming in the (what I thought was clear) water. At least the ocean was cold enough to stop me from dunking my head under…

If you’re hoping to cool down during today’s heatwave, you may want to double check that your favourite spot isn’t on Island Health’s no-swim list.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 29 / 14

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 24 / 14

Day after: 🌦️ 22 / 14

NEWS

Wesley Ridge Fire downgraded to “being held”

The wildfire of note reached 588 ha before firefighters were able to hold it, according to data from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS). The fire is still burning through this area, but is no longer considered out of control.

Some evacuees were able to head home yesterday. At the fire’s peak, close to 300 properties were on evacuation order (must leave the area), with another 350 on evacuation alert (must be prepared to leave at any moment). More than 250 properties have now been downgraded from order to alert. 

Residents in the area aren’t entirely out of the (burning) woods yet—wildfire crews say the Wesley Ridge Fire has been particularly complicated given the elevation, where fetching water is tricky. 

“This fire has presented us with a lot of challenges, especially with access to this fire,” Arlen Kanary, operations branch director for Wesley Ridge Fire, said in a BCWS video released Sunday. “There are some extreme slopes, challenging terrain that have really limited our ability to fight this fire.”

Cameron Lake site of two major Island wildfires

The forested area near Cameron Lake was just beginning to recover from a massive wildfire two years ago. In June 2023, the Cameron Bluffs Fire shut down Highway 4 for three weeks, and kept it partially closed for the rest of the summer, cutting off an essential East-West Island route. Drivers headed to eastern locations had to take a four-hour detour on a precarious road that resulted in multiple crashes. Tourist hubs like Tofino struggled to hit their usual visitor rate that summer, with some hotels in the town receiving half the number of guests it had the previous year.

Even after it was extinguished, the damage to the area has led to rolling closures on Highway 4—including a closure earlier this summer—to clear debris and improve safety in the area. 

Sooke Potholes Park has also been the site of major wildfires. Last year, the Old Man Lake Fire got concerningly close to the Sooke Lake Reservoir, which is Greater Victoria’s main source of drinking water.

Heatwave continues today for the Island

Much of the Island could see temperatures exceeding 30C today, as we catch the tail end of a three-day heatwave. These hot spells can exacerbate the intensity of smoke from wildfires.

According to BCWS, smoke from the Wesley Ridge Fire could last for weeks—or potentially months—in the area.

As Wesley Ridge is held, a new wildfire is raging nearby

A wildfire near Port Alberni—the Mount Underwood Fire—was discovered yesterday evening and quickly grew to 630 ha by midnight. It’s currently considered out of control and forced nearly 300 people to flee the China Creek Campground last night.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Saanich roadwork: Single-lane traffic on Shelbourne between McKenzie and Bair today 9am-3pm. Burnside and Albina tomorrow. 9am-3pm.

Temporary trail closure in former Royal Oak Golf Course lands today as CRD crews replace a culvert. [CRD]

Reduced parking at Horth Hill: Half of the parking lot will be closed tomorrow for line painting. Until 2pm. [CRD]

NEWS

Intrepid Theatre to leave Metro Studio next year

After 20 years of local art and theatre performance, the theatre company—located inside the Victoria Conservancy of Music (VCM)—will end its run at the studio in March. The planned exit comes amid rising costs and a rent increase that made operations untenable, according to a release from Intrepid Theatre. 

Intrepid Theatre—known for hosting Victoria Fringe Festival—extended its lease until 2026 at a higher cost in order to properly wrap up at the Quadra studio. The VCM will take over the space as the main operators, and intends to welcome back Intrepid Theatre whenever it needs a temporary location, according to VCM CEO Nathan Medd.

Metro Studio only half of Intrepid’s legacy

The theatre company will soon celebrate 40 years in operation—and it plans to stick around for as long as possible. While Metro Studio is no longer “financially viable,” according to Intrepid, the 2024 season was one of its highest grossing in its multi-decade history.

Intrepid’s new approach, once its lease ends at VCM, will see it operating out of multiple venues—including the occasional return to Metro.

“Intrepid has a long history of both operating its own venues (Planet Theatre, Metro Studio, Intrepid Studio) and using other traditional and pop-up venues,” Intrepid said in a release. “As we transition, we will be moving our assets and theatrical equipment into storage, and exploring other venues for our upcoming programming.”

Intrepid’s fall season will bring multiple shows to Metro, giving patrons a chance to catch shows there before it leaves. There will also be a goodbye party hosted closer to March to celebrate 20 years of indie theatre at Metro.

⭐️ Capital Picks

❄️ Escape the heat, read a book: All GV Public Libraries have cooling AC, offering a free place to cool down in today’s heat. [GVPL]

🎶 Pacific Opera Victoria’s 25/26 season presents a powerful trio of operas that are sure to thrill. You belong at the opera, tickets are selling fast!*

🪸 Closed for business: See anemones—sitting next to purple sea stars—closed up during low tide. [Facebook photos]

🐷 Piggy trail: The Lochside trail has three new piglets—named Butter, Honey, and Cookiedough—for cyclists and trail users to visit, after the nearby farm lost its beloved elderly sow in 2023. [Times Colonist] 

*Sponsored listing

🗞️ In Other News

Cowichan Tribes win fishing rights title in Richmond, BC to appeal
Multiple local First Nations won title rights to the city and federal lands, where Cowichan members fished for centuries during the summer. The decision was handed down on Thu. after 500 days of litigation in front of the BC Supreme Court. The First Nations will have fishing rights on the southeast side of Lulu Island and the mouth of the Fraser River. The judge suspended her decision for 18 months to allow an “orderly transition.” BC announced yesterday it would appeal. BC Attorney General Niki Sharma says the decision could have unintended consequences for private property owners in the area. [Times Colonist]

Willows Beach in Oak Bay back on no-swim list
The popular beach was added to Island Health’s no-swim list yesterday after high enterococci levels (indicating presence of fecal matter) were recorded. This is the second time this summer that Willows has had a no-swim advisory. Bazan Bay Beach in North Saanich was also placed under a no-swim advisory yesterday for high enterococci. The beaches join locations in Thetis Lake, Elk/Beaver Lake—both lakes are experiencing blue-green algae blooms—and Ross Bay Beach, which has had high enterococci levels since last summer. [Island Health]

VicPD release CCTV footage of antisemitic vandalism at Victoria synagogue
VicPD’s General Investigation Services (GIS) are leading the investigation into the antisemitic graffiti left on Emanu-El Synagogue last weekend, in collaboration with its Hate Crimes Coordinator. Footage shows the suspect with a backpack, headphones, and a red bike in front of the synagogue at 5:19am on Aug. 2. The graffiti, written on the synagogue’s entrance, included hateful rhetoric about Jewish people.

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🗓️ Things to do

🛍️ Second Hand Hope Pop-Up Market: Shop for lost-and-found items donated by luxury hotels while supporting the fight against hygiene poverty at Market Square, Unit 120, this week. 10am-6pm. [Info]

🎷 SWANG THANG!: Dance the night away with this upbeat ensemble, serving swing, blues, and funk at The Loft Pub tonight. 5-8pm. [Info]

🗣️ Let's Talk Tuesdays: Connect with new people over relaxed conversations in a welcoming space at Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub today. 12-2pm. [Info]

🐯 Five Animal Frolics Qigong Workshop: Learn an ancient Chinese stretching and movement practice embodying five animals at Beacon Hill Park tomorrow. 5:30pm. [Info]

👵 Greater Victoria Young at Heart Seniors Expo: Explore health vendors, community resources, and play games with prizes at the Victoria Curling Club tomorrow. 11am-3pm. [Info]

🧶 Crafternoon: Work on a crafting project and yap with new friends at Beacon Hill Park. Thu. 6pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Items left at hotels get second life at market; Six new VI marmot litters born; Floyd’s closes Brentwood Bay location. [Aug. 10]

Three-car crash shut down Malahat Highway yesterday. [CHEK]

Jutland closed at Gorge intersection today through Fri., 24/7. [Info]

Broad closed between Johnson and Yates for approx. one week. 7am-5pm. [Info]

BC curriculum adds CPR training, naloxone in high schools this fall. [Times Colonist]

Vintage speedster: See people aboard the Sisco Fast Bus in Ladysmith, circa 1920s. [Facebook photo]

Save the taste of summer: Learn food-preservation basics at this workshop in the Sooke Library next Tue. [Sooke]

That’s it!

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