April 14 - First Island wildfire of season

Good morning !

Hard to believe we are already halfway through April, which also puts us halfway through meteorological spring. But the transition from winter to summer has been warped by some of the weird and warm weather we dealt with several months ago.

Reports this week brought new updates on looming fire and drought concerns. Read more below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 14 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 11 / 2

Tuesday: 🌤️ 14 / 2

7-day forecast

NEWS

South Island’s first wildfire of the season recorded near Shawnigan Lake

The small (2m x 5m) human-caused fire on Apr. 5 was small and quickly extinguished. It marked the beginning of wildfire season on the Island, which unlike other areas has not had any holdout fires from last year. [Victoria News]

The province warned in late March that BC may have an “active spring-wildfire season due to persistent drought conditions,” based on forecasts. But, it said, sustained rain could mitigate those risks. After a notably dry and warm winter, the Island had a normal precipitation level in March (and was the only BC region to hit that mark).

Lowest BC snowpack in 55 years of records

The Island, and BC overall, continues to have major drought risk. The April snowpack report putting BC at just 63% of normal—the lowest since at least 1970. The Island goes even beyond this. At 49%, it is one of just three BC regions (along with Chilcotin and Skagit in the Interior) below 50% [Map]. The Island was actually even lower in 2015, but was more of an outlier in that year.

The lack of snow buildup lessens flood risk, but worsens risk of drought and in turn fire. Last year’s fire season was the worst that BC and Canada have recorded. Although the Island did not experience the frequency and severity seen in northern BC, for instance, the Cameron Bluffs fire led to issues that shut the Island’s main east-west roadway and forced long detours during travel season. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Weather this week: Mainly sun and cloud, with highs rising to 18 by weekend.

Victoria Grizzlies make second round of BCHL playoffs, defeating Nanaimo Clippers.

Cougar seen in Saanich on Sat. morning. Cat was in the 3900 block of South Valley Drive, police said.

Tsunami Preparedness Week: Make an emergency preparedness plan and learn about tsunami risk. 

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

More losses in downtown food industry as popular pub and cafe close abruptly

Smiths Pub suddenly shuts after 17 years

A sign taped on Thurs. night to the front door of the Courtney Street public house thanked patrons and staff and said “We didn’t want to go out like this, but things happen.” The pub’s voicemail gives a similar message.

The pub was known for its moody, UK-themed decor and its commitment to craft beer (its TV even showed a feed of patrons’ reviews of their drinks on beer app Untappd). It hosted DJ nights and trivia, although this week’s trivia was abruptly cancelled before news of the closure was released. Smiths had already closed its Canada-themed upstairs to the public but still hosted private events there.

It’s not the first area pub to close recently

There have been a few, including Saanich’s 1550’s and Yates Street Taphouse, which shuttered last May. There’s an online auction of YST’s assets—including TVs, glasses, and kitchen equipment—on April 23. [Able Auctions] 

Shatterbox shuttered: Public Market cafe closes

The cafe, known for its focus on sustainability and rapport with regular customers, has also shut with a brief notice (this one on Instagram). Its owners since 2017, Brandon and Linda, also run another spot in the Public Market: The Big Spoon Soup Co., which remains open.

Shatterbox was started in 2012 by Kalen Harris—later a Victoria MLA candidate—based on his background in European coffee houses. Before the Public Market, it was located in Harris Green and then on Pandora.

Read more at Tasting Victoria. 

NEWS

Why solar panels haven’t gained more steam locally

This past week, many of our relatives on the other side of the country tuned in to the eclipse to be wowed by the power of the moon and sun. But when it comes to solar power, as an actual green energy source it continues to be eclipsed on the Island by heat pumps.

BC launched higher energy efficiency requirements a year ago. To reach that efficiency, heat redistribution systems are much more popular for local homes than solar panels have been. View Royal Mayor Sid Tobias attributes this to their higher baseline cost, and the gap in incentives (which all three levels of government give for heat pumps). 

Read the full story at the Westshore for more on solar energy's local struggle.

SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION: COAST CAPITAL

Take Victoria's 2024 Vital Signs survey today

Your opinions are vital! Take Victoria’s 2024 Vital Signs survey today, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $100 grocery gift card!

There are many things to love about living in Greater Victoria and on the Southern Gulf Islands. Friendly people, temperate climate, and natural beauty, to name a few! Despite this, we face many challenges as a community, including affordability, housing, healthcare, and more.

So how do we protect what is wonderful about our region while addressing the challenges?

Take the short-form survey to share your opinion and for a chance to win 1 of 3 $100 Gift Cards to Country Grocer. You can double your chances by taking the long-form survey.

Victoria's Vital Signs is sponsored by Coast Capital.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐙 Octopus the size of a blueberry near Rathtrevor Beach. [Facebook photo]

🎨 Do you make art? The Victoria Arts Council is seeking small pieces to sell at its new pop-up at 670 Fort. [More]

🌍 Cafe Scientifique presents UVic prof Jon Husson's talk on climate history, the rise of animals, and the “Snowball Earth" idea. [Full video stream]

🤝 Now hiring: Program coordinator at Scale Collaborative.

🗞️ In Other News

Peninsula man trying to set skateboarding world record
North Saanich’s Bradley Smith is training for a 3,500km trip intended to set (and properly document) new Guinness records for longest total and 24-hour journeys by electric skateboard. [Peninsula News Review]

Relocated celebrity seal may be back already
The young elephant seal seen in the Gorge resembles Emerson, the seal removed from the area a week ago and released up-Island. [CHEK]

Plans change for delayed Salt Spring supportive housing
The project, announced Jan. 2022, has expanded from 28 to 36 units (including 4 non-supportive units for below-market rentals). But the Drake Road build will now take until late 2025, not this summer. [Driftwood]

TASTING VICTORIA AWARDS

Get your votes in!

Voting will be closing soon for the 2024 Tasting Victoria Best Restaurant Awards. The finalists for all 18 categories have all been selected, now it’s time to vote for your top choice! Vote now. 

🗓️ Things to do

😂 Improvisitas!: The Portuguese Kids will be joined by Mike Rita for a night of improv comedy at Victoria Event Centre this Sunday. Doors 6pm, show 7pm.

👾 Island FanCon: Expect celebrity guests, cosplay, workshops, and more at this inaugural event at City Centre Park. Today 11am-5pm.

🛍️ Craft and Garage Sale: Shop handmade and secondhand items from 36 vendors at Prince Edward Legion. Free Admission. Today. 10am-2pm.

🛍️ Westshore Swap, Shop & Market: Shop from local vendors in the Juan de Fuca Library’s parking lot. Today. 8am-12pm.

🎙️ Great American Songbook Trio: Louise Rose, Joey Smith, and Kelby MacNayr will perform American songs from the early 20th century at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 12pm, show 1pm. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

School district budget cuts hit music programming. Pop culture expo in town this weekend. Young orca outfoxes human rescuers. [Sat. newsletter]

Friday news: “Pirate Ryan” situation highlights boat, housing, & jurisdiction issues. New primary care matching system. Museum doors replaced. [April 12]

Refire Kitchen opening in Sidney: The third location of the prepped meal kit shop will take over the Beacon Books location.

Victoria’s new A&W is in a building that has had many lives.

That’s it!