July 26 - Fires continue to appear amid "extreme risk"

Good morning !

Today we’ve got an update on the Sooke Potholes fire—and other fires that have popped up around the CRD this week. But first, we’ve got a story on a damning new report highlighting ongoing issues within BC’s Ministry of Child and Family Development.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 21 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀️ 21 / 13

Sunday: ☁️ 21 / 14

7-day forecast

NEWS

Victoria MLA in the hot seat after critical report issued

A new report by the Representative for Children and Youth (RCY) has raised alarms about the BC Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD). The "No Time to Wait" report reveals that over 80% of social workers in the BC child welfare system feel overwhelmed by excessive caseloads, impeding their ability to effectively protect children in care.

Representative Jennifer Charlesworth criticized the long-standing issue of chronic understaffing, noting that previous governments have also failed to address these problems.

The MCFD's staffing challenges have persisted for over a decade. Recent data with previous 2020-21 reports show at one point that none of BC’s 13 regions met even 50% compliance in service practices during audits. The situation is critical, especially for Indigenous children, who make up 68% of the kids in care as of 2022.

The case of "Colby," a boy who was tragically murdered in 2021, underscores the severe deficiencies in child protection practices.

New Minister Grace Lore (Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA), who replaced Mitzi Dean (Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA), has promised improvements, noting a 17% increase in front-line staffing and a budget boost for service delivery for the coming years. However, critics argue these measures fall short. Charlesworth and others urge for more substantial reforms to address chronic issues plaguing the system.

Read the full story by Sidney Coles.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closure: Bay is closed today again from Cook to Shelbourne (8:30am-8:30pm) for sewage maintenance. 

Parks closed as Sooke wildfire continues, including Sea to Sea, Sooke Potholes, Spring Salmon Place, and access to Kapoor. Galloping Goose is closed at the Sea to Sea boundary. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Fires pop up around Greater Victoria amid “extreme” fire risk

The temperatures may have dropped in Greater Victoria over the last week, but it still managed to be a scorcher. 

Greater Victoria’s risk for fire sits at “extreme” and that rating has certainly been warranted—there have been three notable brush fires and an out-of-control wildfire just this week. Humans are believed to have caused most, if not all, South Island fires this week.

Sooke Potholes

In Sooke, the Old Man Lake fire quickly grew in size each day—from 3 ha when it was discovered Monday afternoon, to 169 ha by Wednesday afternoon. It held at that size throughout Thursday. It’s burning east of the Sooke River, and came concerningly close to Greater Victoria’s water supply on Tuesday.

As of Thursday afternoon multiple parks have been closed, including Sea to Sea, Sooke Potholes, and sections of the Galloping Goose. On Monday, 30 campers were forced to evacuate from Spring Salmon Place Campground.

BC Wildfire Service is not yet recommending evacuation alerts or orders, but advised Sooke residents yesterday to prepare grab-and-go bags.

The service reminded boaters not to go out on Shawnigan Lake while water-skimming aircraft are out, after a video showed a speedboat nearly collide with a plane.

Dallas Road

A small section of the bluffs at Dallas Road were ablaze Thursday morning, which crews believe was started by an illegal campfire on the beach (campfires are banned year-round at Dallas and all of BC is currently under campfire ban). 

Pat Bay

Around 20 firefighters responded to a grass fire on the shoulder of the Pat Bay Highway Tuesday. A water truck driving by was able to partially douse the flames before crews arrived—while this was helpful, Saanich Fire recommends leaving fire suppression to the professionals.

Otter Point

A grass fire broke out Wednesday afternoon and moved quickly to become 1 acre in size, according to the Otter Point Fire Dept., which had assistance from Sooke, East Sooke and Metchosin fire crews to extinguish it.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

💃 New dance club opening on Government: The Downbeat will open in the fall in the location previously occupied by Hush Nightclub.

🎞️ Resident Orca, which was partly filmed in Salish Sea, was nominated for a Jackson Wild award. 

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🤝 Now hiring: Irrigation Trades Assistant at The Butchart Gardens.

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🗞️ In Other News

No charges for driver who killed Oak Bay municipal worker
Oak Bay Police say the driver experienced a medical episode during the crash on Monterey last year. Municipal worker Steven Seekins was killed after the vehicle sped over the curb into the construction zone where he was working. [CHEK]

Langford and Cobble Hill sexual assaults likely not connected, similar random attacks at home
RCMP are still looking for suspects in both cases. The Langford assault, which occurred in an apartment stairwell, is considered a concern for public safety, with RCMP saying they don’t know how the attacker entered the building. It is believed to be separate from a Cobble Hill sexual assault where an elderly woman was attacked in her home Tuesday. An RCMP spokesperson said “it’s incredibly rare” for a victim to not know their attacker in a sexual assault case. This is the third random sexual assault in a little over a week for the Greater Victoria area, with VicPD arresting the suspect of a violent downtown sexual assault on Tuesday. [Victoria News]

Plan to fast track social services approved
Staff were told to report back on rezoning to allow services throughout the city. Stipulations for service centres include a limit of 50 shelter beds and requirement to be clean, well-maintained, and not a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Service centres also cannot be within 100 metres of another service site. The motion was voted 6-3 by Victoria council. [CHEK]

🗓️ Things to do

❤️ Shake it Off at Herald Street Brew Works: Dance to Taylor Swift’s greatest hits and enjoy Swiftie themed drinks and a photo booth at Herald Street Brew Works today. 8pm. [Info]

🍸🎻 Mozart and Martinis: Listen to the Victoria Symphony perform a program of Mozart and more at The Atrium today. 5pm. [Info]

🎺🇨🇺 Club Havana: Discover the history of Cuban music, with a performance from The West Coast Cuban Orchestra at Hermann’s today. 7pm. [Info] 

🍔 Eats & Beats Beach Party: Dance to live music at this Beachlands fest and enjoy a snack from an international food truck lineup, alongside beach games and a beverage garden. Tomorrow 1-8pm. [Info] 

🧑‍🎨 ArtisTREE: Discover local art makers with 150 artisan vendors, live performances, and food at Government House. Tomorrow 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-5pm. [Info]

🎶 Garden Party: Enjoy a craft beer and listen to tunes from Brothers, Blush, and Juice at Whistle Buoy Brewing tomorrow. 12-9pm. [Info] 

🌹 Roses and Rosé: Dress in pink and sip on rosé at Victoria International Wine Festival’s gala at the Parkside Hotel and Spa tomorrow. 7-9:30pm. [Info]

🚗 Sport and Import Car Show: See the best in classic and collector cars at this annual show at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Sun. 10:30am-3pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Former Langford councillor dies; suspect in Wharf sexual assault arrested; Sooke fire burns close to watershed; and more. [July 25]

Ombudsperson’s report says BC prisons fail to meet inspection standards. [Capital Daily]

Frickin’ Delights Donuts is closing its doors. [Tasting Victoria] 

Two new restaurants open, one in Quadra Village and another in Esquimalt. [Tasting Victoria] 

Smoke escape: Vancouver Island Public Library’s Sooke Branch is a designated comfort centre to avoid the smoke. 

Stay clear of water-skimming aircrafts at Shawnigan Lake collecting water to fight the Old Man Lake Fire in Sooke.

“Beaver” lake: See a beaver out for a swim on Thetis Lake. [Video]

That’s it!

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