July 21 - "Extreme" fire risk in Greater Vic

Good morning !

First up: My apologies to everyone for the mix-up with the subject line yesterday. That headline, about UVic, was meant to be for today rather than yesterday. It turns out, though, that there were more developments on Saturday in that story, so we've updated our coverage with those.

Read the latest below, along with updates on local fire risk:

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 27 / 14

Tomorrow: ☀️ 24 / 14

Day after: ☀️ 22 / 13

7-day forecast

NEWS

UVic plans to remove student encampment, after negotiations break down

The UVic “People’s Park” encampment has been on the quad for 80+ days, like similar campus protests across Canada, demanding the university divest from companies supporting Israel and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

On Friday, protesters announced that talks were at an impasse. On Saturday, UVic responded by announcing that “[a]s we see no further prospect for a successful dialogue, the university has advised the People’s Park UVic that they are trespassing and asked them to leave university property.”

A key sticking point appears to be that UVic will not commit to making concrete investment and partnership changes. In 2021 UVic shifted part of its investments away from fossil fuels, but that came after a multi-year student-led divestment campaign and a 2019 faculty vote.

Campers said yesterday that they were issued a trespassing notice and told to leave by 8am on Monday. In Nanaimo, VIU similarly issued a trespassing notice to protesters with 8am last Monday morning as a deadline—and then filed a suit seeking damages and an injunction to remove the camp.

Read the full story at Capital Daily on the breakdown of negotiations.

NEWS

“Extreme” fire risk amid dry and hot weather

If some July rain falls today, as forecast, it will be timely. Greater Victoria's wildfire danger rating now sits at “extreme,” the highest level of risk, while most of the rest of the Island is at the next tier down (High). Most of BC is currently at High or Extreme, with 200+ wildfires already burning—though only 2 are on the Island (both classified as under control).

Some smoke from those fires may roll in over the Island today, according to prediction and smoke-mapping tool FireSmoke.ca, but EnviroCan air quality predictions currently don't put Victoria any higher than a Low Risk 3/10.

The East Island received another heat warning yesterday, citing "moderate" risk to public health. Greater Victoria is due to dip back to the lower 20s this coming week. A dry and risky summer for the Island has been expected in part due to the outlier-low snowpack levels seen early this year.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

30% chance of showers today in late morning and early afternoon.

Victoria 6 Ridgefield 7: HarbourCats lose despite comeback to force extra innings.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Victoria restaurant first in Canada to get gold-level food waste certification

The Kitchen at the Pendray Inn and Tea House has become the first restaurant in Canada to receive a gold level certificate from The PLEDGE on Food Waste, scoring 93 out of 100.

The Pledge on Food Waste is a third-party audited certification system that aims to reduce food waste and costs, and build more robust solution providers in local ecosystems. Certification methodology includes seven pillars and 95 criteria, and is designed to be cooperative with key UN sustainable development goals and the EPA’s Wasted Food Scale.

The team at Pendray said that food waste is down to under 61g of waste per cover, vs the national average of 388. They cite several practices all throughout their certification process such as comprehensive training, categorizing food waste measurements, and meticulous tracking systems. Creative tactics from chef Onille Pitogo’s also repurposed would-be food waste into new and innovative dishes, like the chocolate cashew delight.

Read more at Tasting Victoria.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🤣 The Debaters Live in Victoria, with host Steve Patterson on Feb. 9. [Great radio]

🐧 Penguins & ice: Island photographer visits South Atlantic. [Kris Gillies]

🛩 Seaplane spotting frenzy: Watch 8 seaplane taking off and landing in the Inner Harbour, and hear facts about them. [LeftCoastCorrie video]

🗞️ In Other News

Under new plan, assisted living home would be demolished and rebuilt larger
Amica Douglas House in James Bay has now scaled down its building replacement plans from 8 to 6 storeys after neighbour pushback. [Times Colonist]

Victoria named #2 city in Canada by Travel + Leisure
The US-based magazine’s readers continued to favour BC and Quebec in the latest World's Best awards voting. Quebec City took top spot for the 9th straight year, while tourist attractions such as the Empress and Butchart Gardens were cited in Vic’s runner-up finish. 

Systems were returning to normal on Sat. after outage
Canadian airlines, other companies, and health systems—including Island Health—have largely recovered after Friday's global problems with Windows devices, seemingly caused by a major cybersecurity firm's botched update. [CP]

🗓️ Things to do

🥮 Mooncake Workshop: Learn how to make mooncakes and take home ten of the mini pastries. Presented by Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society at the Community Kitchen at Victoria Public Market. Today. 12-2pm. [Info]

🍷 Wine in the Courtyard: Sample wines from the Cork & Barrel Spirit Merchants during the Oak Bay Collector Car Show. Today. 11am-3pm. [Info]

🎈 Local Folk Summer Fair: Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse is hosting a fair to celebrate its 20th anniversary featuring artisan vendors, food, live music, and kids crafts. Today. 11am-4pm. [Info]  

🚗 24th Annual Oak Bay Collector Car Festival. More than 300 cars of all types, vintages and condition. Meet other owners and discuss backstories and experiences of these special cars. Oak Bay Ave. 8am-3pm. [Info]

🌌 ReLove market vintage in Market Square continues 11-5pm. [Info]

⛵ Sidney summer concert series continues in Beacon Park with dance band Late Shift (2-4pm). [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

80,000 eyes on local art: Plus: Tech trouble in Island Health. Superheroes in the stadium. Plane crash victims identified. [Sat. news]

Algae warning for Prior Lake in Thetis Park. [CRD]

Better Acres Ice Cream has opened at 1019 Government.

James Bay, Sidney more vulnerable to extreme heat, CRD study says. [Black Press]

Electric skateboarder breaks riding records. skateboarding records to honour late father. [CTV]

That’s it!

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