Wed. June 7 - Forest fires burning at an unprecedented rate

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NEWS

How Canada’s worst wildfire season could affect the Island

As hundreds of fires continue to burn across Canada, data from the federal government shows that this summer will likely be the worst wildfire season the country has ever seen. According to Canada’s emergency preparedness minister, current images of wildfires throughout the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed. There are currently 424 fires in Canada, with more than 250 considered out of control.

The Island is no exception to this—BC’s wildfire service has seen an uptick in activity in the coastal region, with three fires burning on the Island:

• The spot fire near Spruston Road outside of Nanaimo has been put out. It was reported on June 4, and was caused by a camper’s fire.

• The Cameron Bluffs fire is considered out of control as it burns through 100+ hectares of forest as of Tuesday, a huge surge from around 20 on Monday. The fire was reported June 4 and its growth is due to strong overnight winds. It is located within steep terrain, so two helicopters are bucketing in inaccessible areas. Nearby Highway 4 was closed near Koen Road multiple times on Tuesday, limiting access to nearby Port Alberni.

• The Newcastle Creek fire on the North Island is being held at bay within the 208 hectare zone. The cause of this fire is suspected to be human, and 20% of the fire is burning in extreme slopes and hazardous work conditions.

To prevent more human-caused fires, the Coastal Fire Centre has enacted a campfire ban as of tomorrow (June 8).

Read the full story to find out why BC can expect its wildfire season to only get worse from here. 

Capital Bulletin

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny. High 25C / low 11C.

🚌 Free rides on BC transit today: All rides today will be free for all customers in honour of Clear Air Day.

⛴️ BC Ferries’ Pacific Buffet will not reopen: BC Ferries is asking for public input in an online survey to decide what to replace the space with.

🚨 Missing person found: Christine Pash, 30, has been located and is safe. [Saanich Police]

NEWS

Local artist asks for nationwide contributions to Witness Blanket soundtrack

Victoria-based Kwakwaka’wakw and Coast Salish artist Carey Newman aims to collect sounds from people impacted by residential schools as a part of a virtual reality Witness Blanket project. The sound collection seeks to add an auditory experience to Newman’s Witness Blanket art installation, providing a voice to the physical objects collected.

Last year Capital Daily spoke to Newman, a UVic art prof who is also called by his traditional name Hayalthkin’geme, about the Witness Blanket. It features 800 objects from 77 Indigenous communities that collectively share the stories of residential school survivors, including some of Newman’s own family members. The main installation sits at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, while the interactive digital version, two travelling replicas, and a 90-minute documentary make it more widely accessible.

Part of Newman’s intent is to make residential school experiences more tangible to more people, especially young people.

“By seeing a hockey skate or a braid of hair, or a moccasin, and then remembering your own feelings about that, and comparing it to the story that's behind it, that forms a connection,” he told Capital Daily.

Newman is inviting contributions of sound files from Indigenous people, that represent what culture means to them. Files can be submitted through this form.

Read more about the Witness Blanket on Capital Daily.

SPONSORED BY PRISMA FESTIVAL

Experience PRISMA Festival in Powell River

Classical music meets coastal beauty at the PRISMA Festival in Powell River. Top music students and renowned guest artists unite for two weeks of performances, to the delight of a live audience. Come see it for yourself, June 12-24.

Enjoy daily musical events including orchestra and chamber music performances, masterclasses, and limelight concerts—all open to the public. Or, check out the popular Sail to the Symphony tour package for Vancouver Island residents, and the free, family-friendly PRISMA on the Beach celebration, which attracts thousands annually.

PRISMA is the proud 2022 recipient of the Tourism Award from Powell River Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, recognizing an outstanding visitor experience that “actively encourages the growth of Powell River and Area as a destination.”

Get your tickets now.

NEWS

Parks and road improvements coming to the Westshore

The BC government made two announcements in the past week, looking to improve parks and roads within the coming years in communities such as Langford and Metchosin.

On June 1, Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman was joined by guests in Goldstream Park to announce a $10M donation from the government to the BC Parks Foundation.

“This $10-million contribution further ensures the foundation’s long-term sustainability, so that together we can preserve many more of the most beautiful places and unique ecosystems in BC,” Heyman said.

The foundation ensures the protection and revitalization of BC’s parks, along with the funding of programs. The Westshore will see the re-opening of Goldstream Provincial Park Nature House for the first time in three years, as it hopes to become a pillar of education for the community once again.

Read more about the funding and projects at The Westshore.

Capital Picks

🧶 Current Threads: This exhibition at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council Galleries features 130 fibre arts works from artists across BC and Yukon, June 7- July 5.

📽️ Pacific Opera Watch Party Night: Four artists from Pacific Opera’s Civic Engagement Artist Residency will screen video recitals at the Baumann Centre tonight, 7pm. [Details]

🌊 Film screening of Tsunami 11th Relative: As a part of Ocean Week, learn about tsunami resistance and preparation at the Vic Theatre tonight, 7pm. [Details]

🚴 For the dads who love the latest tech and staying fit. For Father’s Day, give him the best measure of endurance there is with VO2 Max.*

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In Other News

🚨 Youth hospitalized after falling 6m off cliff
The youth landed in an area with slippery and sharp rocks after falling off a cliff near Spectrum Community School. The extent of the youth’s injuries and the reason as to why they were on the cliff are unknown. [CHEK]

💧 Island’s largest-ever estuary restoration will begin on Cowichan River
The revitalization of 70 hectares of estuarine marshlands aims to increase the survival of wild Pacific salmon, and migratory and breeding birds dependent on the habitat. Nearby areas are expected to benefit from pollutant filtration and storm surge mitigation. The restoration will include the removal of 2km of dikes and the creation of intertidal channels.

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In Case You Missed It

🎟️ Drag Sunday ends at Paparazzi Nightclub: Shelita Cox has announced the end of the weekly drag show, amid discourse over the changing patronage at queer venues. [Capital Daily]

💃🏼 Save up to $146 with a 2023/24 subscription to experience dance companies from France, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Box Office: 250-386-6121 or DanceVictoria.com.*

📰 Tuesday’s newsletter: Proposed Sidney bike lanes are dropped, Uber launches, Colwood releases thousands of ladybugs, and more. [June 6]

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