Jan 10 - BC firefighters to head to LA 'wasteland'

Good morning !

We like to keep to local issues here in Capital Daily but once in a while, there’s a story from outside our borders that is so compelling we can’t not talk about it.

This YouTube footage is of a drive through LA and shows the fire devastation that is going to leave the City of Angels almost unrecognizable.

Our first story today touches on firefighting assistance for LA from BC.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 8 / 3

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 7 / 3

Sunday: 🌤️ 7 / 2

7-day forecast

NEWS

BC firefighters to be sent to help in LA fire ‘war zone’

Vancouver Island-based Coulson Aviation has helicopters and crew battling the raging forest fires in and around Los Angeles and they’ll be joined soon by firefighters and equipment from BC after California officials asked the province for help. 

“BC is currently in the process of responding to a resource request from California and will be providing assistance,” a spokesperson for the forests ministry tells Capital Daily.

And that response will be a yes. “BC will offer any assistance we can to the people of LA as they face these challenging fires,” Premier David Eby said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Port Alberni’s Coulson Aviation is under contract to use its three Boeing CH-47 Chinook helitankers and a Sikorsky S-76 intelligence and recon helicopter, to fight fires in LA, Orange, and Ventura counties.

“Our helicopters have been deployed to various fires in the area for aerial firefighting which consists of dropping water, gel, or retardant,” a Coulson spokesperson tells Capital Daily.

Fires are burning for a fourth day today—in most cases uncontestedly, as fire crews have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of calls. Five people have died and close to 200K others have been forced to flee, following evacuation orders. Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed in the five wildfires including the Palisades or Cal Fire which has destroyed a stunningly large swath of oceanside houses and was at just 6% containment as of last night.  

LA is being described as a “war zone” and a “wasteland” because of the extent of unabated destruction as 2K firefighters work without sleep and with the aid of regular citizens.

Heavy winds have blown embers around, creating more fires. They’ve also prevented and delayed choppers and water bombers from taking flight. Another pressing issue is the availability of water as expressed by this headline in the LA Times: “Fire hydrants ran dry as Pacific Palisades burned. L.A. city officials blame ‘tremendous demand’.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan tells Capital Daily he doesn’t expect smoke to be seen or smelled here in Victoria at least in the short term because of current wind conditions.

“I can confirm with you that the atmospheric pattern doesn’t lend itself to advecting (moving horizontally) the smoke from the California fires north at this point,” he said.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Time to renew dog licences for pooches four months+. [City of Victoria]

Next Crystal Pool referendum info meeting at Hillside Mall is tomorrow. [11am-5pm]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

After nearly two decades of debate, the fate of the Crystal Pool remains unclear

Following years of uncertainty, the future of the aging natatorium will sink or swim in less than a month (on Feb. 8), when City of Victoria residents respond to two referendum questions: Should the city borrow up to $168.9 million for a new state-of-the-art facility, and if so; where should it be built, in Central Park North or South?

The Crystal Pool, in operation since 1971, is in urgent need of replacement. Although the facility remains a go-to place to thousands, it suffers frequent mechanical breakdowns, has significant accessibility issues, and spews out as much as 40% of Victoria’s municipal greenhouse gas emissions, according to the city. 

A 2015 condition assessment revealed that the complex would require up to $13 million in lifecycle investment over 10 years, with ongoing annual maintenance costs of $2.5 million. Meanwhile, the cost of replacing the facility has skyrocketed.

In 2017, the city council approved a budget of nearly $70M to build a new pool. Since then, escalating construction costs have dolphin-kicked the final price tag threefold. 

External funding, including a $25M federal grant, has helped mitigate the financial burden. However, property taxes are expected to rise by about $232 to $240 per residence, a concern for some residents.

Read Sidney Coles’ full story here.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🦫 Dam, those are strong teeth: Beavers leave behind their impressive construction on Gabriola Island. [Facebook photos]

🐕 Labs and Lab crosses are the town’s top dogs. [City of Victoria]

 🗑️ 🌊 Surfrider Foundation’s first beach cleanup of 2025 to take place at Willows Beach on Sun. [Info]

🗞️ In Other News

Elections BC to probe improper voting complaint in Oct. provincial election
The BC Conservatives say there was a voting irregularity in the Surrey-Guildford riding where the NDP barely won, helping the New Democrats to its one-seat majority. Conservative Leader John Rustad wants an independent review of the 2024 election process, a designation of Canadian citizenship on provincially issued ID, and the pausing of Election Act penalties to encourage people to come forward with possible irregularities. [Toronto Star/CP]

Philippine Mars bomber will head back to Port Alberni
The plane was en route to the US (where it will be retired in an Arizona museum) last month when pilots experienced engine problems. They turned around over Washington state and landed in Patricia Bay. That’s close to the final home of the bomber’s sibling the Hawaii Mars, from which it received an “organ donation” of another engine. On Mon., the Philippine Mars was towed across the inlet to Cowichan Bay and was scheduled to return to Sproat Lake for tests. [CTV]

Seagulls are thriving in the Salish Sea
A conservation project that tests gull blood and physical health indicators to monitor contamination and other pathogens has found that gulls in the Salish Sea are overall healthy, with normal test results across the board. Given the urbanization in the sea, particularly with high marine traffic, scientists were pleasantly surprised. The project also showed gulls are beginning to favour cities over natural habitats to evade predators. [Black Press]

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🗓️ Things to do

🕺 The Comic Strippers: Catch this male stripper parody and improv comedy show at Mary Winspear Centre.Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🍗🍺 Five-Course Dinner with Small Gods Brewery: Visit HOB Fine Foods for a dinner collaboration with the local brewery, where you’ll taste a delicious paired menu. Today. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Sum41: With performances from PUP and Gob at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Tonight. 6pm. [Info]

🕯️🎵 Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons: A live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight at Christ Church Cathedral. Tonight. 6pm. [Info] 

🏃 Clover Point Parkrun: A free, fun, friendly community 5K event. Every Sat. starting from Clover Point. Tomorrow. 9am. [Info] 

🐈 Pet Adoption Event: Paw Space Pet Boutique has four-month-old kittens, a seven-month-old kitty, and a mother cat looking for loving homes. If you’re looking for a furry friend, stop by the shop. Tomorrow. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🎛️ Beat Freq w/Gatringer: Head to the Downbeat for a night of celebrating dance and community. Hosted by resident DJ Audiofox. Tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Masks are back in all BC health-care settings; Big tobacco bust in Langford; Saanich police stop a record number of impaired drivers. [Jan. 9]

Annual BC Assessment highlights factors impacting Greater Victoria’s housing market. [Capital Daily]

BC Ferries cancels 2 sailings after passenger goes overboard at Tsawwassen terminal. [CHEK]

Fire Vic’s board: BC Conservative critic wants SD61 school board sacked. [Times Colonist]

Victorians’ favourite restaurants: Go to Tasting Victoria to download the full pdf of readers' choices for the best local places to eat, drink, and be merry.

Crystal Pool referendum: Register to vote by mail [Details]

Sea Glass Grill gift cards can be brought to Mary’s Bleue Moon Cafe in Sidney for a free meal. [Details]

Turquoise waters: See East Sooke Park’s shoreline from above. [Doug Clement Photography]

That’s it!

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