Aug 27 - Campfire ban to lift tomorrow

Good morning !

Good news for those who like to roast marshmallows while out camping—the campfire ban will be lifted tomorrow for the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the entire Island. This comes just ahead of the long weekend when many have plans to get outside for one last summer trip.

However, wildfire season isn’t over yet—practising fire safety is still crucial as we look ahead at drier, sunnier days.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 18 / 9

Tomorrow: ☀️ 20 / 10

Thursday: ☀️ 24 / 11

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC rental increase capped at 3% for 2025

Allowable rent increases will match inflation, down from the 3.5% allowable increase in 2024. Last year’s increase was the highest since 2018, jumping from the allowable 2% increase in 2023. Prior to 2018, the rental increase was typically inflation plus an additional 2%. 

The inflation increase is measured by the 12-month average percentage change in the all-items Consumer Price Index for BC, which ends in July the year prior to the increase taking effect. 

According to Zumper’s July 2024 report, an average Victoria 1-bedroom costs $2,160 a month, representing a 0.5% decrease since June, but a nearly 7% increase since July of last year. Zumper also found that two-bedrooms average at $2,900 per month, an 8.6% increase year to year.

Rentals.ca had data similar to Zumper’s for 1-bedrooms, but differed for two-bedrooms, which showed an average cost of $2,800 with an increase of only 1.6% since last year.

July saw a nearly 6% increase in the average rental price for all unit sizes Canadawide.

If the 3% increase were to be applied tomorrow, the average one-bedroom in Victoria could go up by roughly $65 a month, with two-bedrooms rising by about $85.

However, it won’t be in effect until Jan.—any increases before that will be in line with the 3.5% allowable increase.

The 2023 Living Wage for a family of four in Greater Victoria was $25.40/hr (or $46,228 annually) per parent. The total rent paid by the average Greater Victoria family of four amounted to $32,728.49, exceeding 30% of their pre-tax household income—categorizing their housing as unaffordable based on standards set by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Campfire ban lifts tomorrow: Cool temperatures and rain over the last week have brought most of the Island’s fire risk down to very low, allowing for campfires this long weekend.

UV index: Moderate risk (5) today & tomorrow, then High risk (6) on Weds. & Thurs. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Locals rally to help shopkeeper after popular community member’s death

Robin Tizya, a well-known member of the local events scene, died suddenly last week. Tizya was familiar to many as a bartender at now-defunct Logan’s Pub and a mainstay at many music events and at Cavity Curiosity Shop, which Tizya's partner Andy owns. 

An outpouring of grief and support grew online over the weekend. Friends and acquaintances reminisced about “delightful conversations” with Tizya at work and events, and called the couple “some of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting” whose local contributions “enriched the lives of thousands”

“To say these two are massive parts of the local music and art community would be an understatement,” one local Reddit user put it.

A fund has now been started to help Andy, who is also a local music promoter whose annual Eventide metal show draws hundreds to Centennial. The fundraiser by friends aims to help with the expenses of memorial arrangements and keeping the shop (which sells vintage books, music, and collectibles) operating. 

On Sunday, Cavity’s neighbour Working Culture bread collected donations and donated part of its bread sales. Cavity spent years in Chinatown next to Habit, but moved up Douglas in 2019 as downtown prices rose.  

SPONSORED BY BREWERY & THE BEAST

Brewery & the Beast is coming up on September 22

Victoria’s ultimate culinary celebration, Brewery & the Beast, is set to ignite Starlight Stadium in Langford on September 22. The Festival of Meat promises an unforgettable afternoon of indulgence with over 45 of Vancouver Island’s top chefs and restaurants, including Dumpling Drop, La Mano, Q at the Empress, and Marilena Cafe and Raw Bar, presenting meat-centric dishes cooked over live fire. Alongside the food, enjoy a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages—all included in your ticket.

The event also features live music, making it one of the best parties on the island! With a commitment to sustainability, all proteins are responsibly sourced from Western Canadian farms and ranches. Treat yourself to the best food and drink Vancouver Island has to offer—grab your all-inclusive tickets now!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🪸 Coral slime found growing on a piece of wood in Victoria. [Facebook photos]

✅ Name! That! Pup! Cast your vote to name Vancouver Island marmot pups before they’re released into the wild. [Vote]

🤝 Now hiring: Display Technician at the Butchart Gardens.

🗞️ In Other News

Greater Victoria’s task force against online child exploitation will be reactivated
In 2021 the Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Central Saanich, and Oak Bay police departments formed an integrated Internet Child Exploitation (“ICE”) unit as a six-month pilot. That group continued to collaborate afterward, but without a shared workspace. Now, $3.5M from the province for several ICE units in BC will bring that team (a sergeant, four constables, and a disclosure clerk) together for three years. [BC Gov]

Nellie McClung Library to close for three years on Dec. 14
The branch will shut while the building is developed for a housing project that includes a revamped library, slated to be twice as big. The temporary space at 3561 Shelbourne won’t open until February. The GVPL board acknowledged the two-month gap, but said the work needed to begin. [Times Colonist]

BC lifts last ‘wildfire of note,’ number of fires burning drops below 300
Earlier this month, at least nine fires were designated “wildfires of note”—now zero are. BC Wildfire Service says favourable weather has allowed crews to better fight hundreds of blazes. There are still 295 blazes burning across the province—79 considered out of control—with 700 firefighters and 100 aircrafts still out fighting, and some evacuation orders and alerts are still in effect. [CP/ Yahoo]

Man sentenced to life for 2020 Langford murder
Damien Medwedrich was found guilty of first-degree murder in April for planning and deliberately shooting Alex Knatchbell to death. A judge found Medwedrich had lured Knatchbell to a secluded area on Humpback in Langford. Knatchbell’s body was found on the side of the road with 12 bullet wounds. Medwedrich will not be able to apply for parole for 25 years. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY SPROUT FAMILY HEALTH

No stress or rushed appointments, just wonderful healthcare for families 

Imagine a new kind of healthcare experience. Warm, welcoming, and designed for families. A person on the other end of the line when you have a question. And a specialized team with big hearts and big brains. Sprout is focused on prevention and longevity instead of just reactive illness care.

In-person, over the phone, or virtual appointments that are easy to book and never rushed. Extras like developmental milestone checks and an annual Dexa body composition scan. It’s wonderful care for families.

The Sprout team will see you now. 

🗓️ Things to do

🎺 Soul Source: See this 20-piece R&B band at Herrmann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

😆 Jimmy Hogg: The British comedian will bring his popular Fringe show Potayto Potahto to Wood Hall tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🇨🇦🇮🇳 Spiritualarious: Catch this Fringe show to learn about one person’s journey through two cultures—Canada and India—at SKAM Satellite Studios tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🎡 Saanich Fair: The annual favourite is back as we say goodbye to the summer. Check out the rides, games, farmers market, animals, and more. Sat.-Mon. [Info]

📽 Rashomon at Cinecenta: The classic Japanese film about differing memories of the truth plays at UVic on Thurs. 5pm, 7pm.

🎭 Fringe Fest continues this week: Catch local and international theatre performers present their unique performances. Shows will run until Sept. 1. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

No more raw sewage into Island waters as Tofino, following Greater Victoria, completes treatment facility. [Aug. 26]

Youngster wheelies toward oncoming traffic in Facebook video that has Campbell River drivers reporting other daredevil encounters. [Aug. 25]

Dining room to reopen at Sooke Harbour House as local hotel moves to resurrect its international food reputation [Tasting Victoria]

New workplace first aid requirements coming to BC on Nov. 1. [WorkSafeBC]

A “gargantuous caterpillar” on Nanoose bike trails. [Facebook]

Hear the new EP from Victoria country-bluegrass artist Bella White:[YouTube]

Mushrooms in a pine cone on Salt Spring. [Photo]

Missing Peninsula woman Lauren still has not been found. [Description / photo]

That’s it!

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