- Capital Daily
- Posts
- July 28 - Skydiving into fire
July 28 - Skydiving into fire
Blaze could burn for weeks. Cidery wins awards. Injury at (local) Niagara Falls
Capital Daily Team
July 28, 2024
Good morning !
Below we have more updates to the ongoing Sooke fire.
But first, in lighter news: Today is the annual Nanaimo Bathtub Race, one of the Island’s longest-running (and most unique) competitions. Since debuting in 1967, it has evolved into a weekend-long festival with concerts and a parade—which I got the chance to watch for the first time yesterday while up in Nanaimo.
— Cam
Have you watched the bathtub race before? |
Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Sooke fire still growing, and could burn for weeks
Firefighters enjoy food donated by locals. Photo: District of Sooke
The Old Man Lake / Sooke Potholes wildfire reached 230 hectares on Sat. afternoon, up from 188 the day prior. It remains out of control, and has now quadrupled in size since Weds. morning.
The fire has grown, but not the threat to homes
However, the most recent growth has been eastward, away from the direction of many Sooke-area homes. Some locals near the fire told CHEK that they are preparing evacuation bags and protections for their property. One ranch owner said that horses are doing poorly in the smoke.
Fire not affecting watershed, Sooke says
The District’s Sat. update said that local water quality is not being compromised. It also thanked local donors but said that it now has enough and asked that no more food or other supplies be donated for volunteers.
The next Sooke info bulletin releases at 10am today.
Blaze could last for days—or weeks
Coastal Fire Centre information officer Kimberly Kelly told the Times Colonist that although the fire is not getting any closer to Sooke itself, it may not be suppressed for weeks yet. She also said that smokejumpers were deployed out of planes to fight the fire in the hard-to-reach terrain on its east flank.
What is a smokejumper?
These “para-attack" crews jump from planes into fires below, parachuting down along with their supplies, to target terrain too difficult to easily drive or hike to. Once landed, they fight the fire with water, tree-felling, and other techniques.
BC is now the only province with a full smokejumping program, and its workload doubled last year during the record fires, per a recent feature story from CP that looked at this dangerous job and the people who do it.
Rain & cooler weather may help
Victoria is expected to get rain tomorrow, and similar wetter and cooler weather BC-wide this week is expected to help firefighters—as long as it doesn't bring much wind.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Air quality: 5 (moderate risk) in smoke; 2 otherwise. Smoky skies bulletin is active.
Smoke may recede from parts of Island over next day. [Forecast]
Sooke-area major parks remain closed due to fire.
400+ fires burning in BC. [Map]
Victoria parkades are free on Sundays. [City]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
South Island cidery claims multiple awards
Photo (cropped): Merridale
Merridale Cidery & Distillery in Cowichan Valley has recently been voted the best in two world-renowned competitions.
The Island cidery won gold in the Seattle International Cider & Perry Awards for several of its creations, including the Traditional, Mo’moro, and Merri Berri ciders
It also won both silver and double gold at the 7th annual Cidercraft Awards (a competition spearheaded by the first and only print publication dedicated to cider in North America and the rest of the world) for its Cowichan Dry and Merri Berri brews.
⭐️ Capital Picks
📸 Brave Little Hunter’s kin recently filmed near Oak Bay, though the orphaned orca herself didn't appear to be with them.
👁 Find and visit Victoria’s public art with the city’s webpage.
🌲 Jasper in better days in these photos from Colin Smith.
🗞️ In Other News
Serious fall in Goldstream Provincial Park
A person who fell at the park’s Niagara Falls on Sat. morning was hospitalized with a head wound. [Times Colonist]
Saanich reopening Rutledge Park splash pad for weekend trial
The District will now run the water features—part of its recent Rutledge reno—with lower water flow to test if short-term adjustments will work. The water was shut off last week because potable water was entering storm drains, which “may have impacts on aquatic life downstream.”
HarbourCats win 5 straight to get back above .500
The team, 9-8, has restabilized its season and with Sat.’s 11-1 win now sits tied with Nanaimo for third in the division.
New Salt Spring fire hall construction is back underway
Some fire board trustees have been frustrated about CRD approval taking roughly twice the expected 6-8-week length. Issues related to meeting new 2024 building codes included whether the firefighters-only second floor would need an evaluator and seismic measures the tall hose tower. [Driftwood]
Grammy-nominated Victoria band’s former bassist dies
In Vancouver, tributes have poured in for Bill Cook; he was with Spiritbox from 2018 to 2022. [Georgia Straight]
🗓️ Things to do
🧑🎨 ArtisTREE: Discover local art makers with 150 artisan vendors, live performances, and food at Government House. 10am-5pm. [Info]
🛍️ Wear2Start Clothing Pop-up Sale: Find a new outfit and support this initiative aimed at empowering women at Fernwood Community Centre. Donate deodorant, a toothbrush, or toothpaste and get $2 off purchase. 10am-3pm. [Info]
🎶 Pop of Colour: Local live music and special guest Dilly Cooner at VEC. 9pm. [Info]
⚽ Pacific FC vs. Valour FC: Langford faces Winnipeg at Starlight tomorrow. 2pm. [Info]
🎵 David Santana with Roy Styffe: Listen to the music of John Coltrane at Hermann’s. 7pm. [Info]
🎊 Millet with Actual Human People and Brendan Wong: Dress up for prom and listen to indie, funk, and rock tunes at Paul Phillips Hall. 4-11pm. [Info]
🕺 Blase Blase at the bandshell in Beacon Hill. Free outdoor concert 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🫖 Historic House Garden Party: Transport yourself to the Victorian era with this tea party in the gardens at Ross Bay Villa. 1-4pm. [Info]
🛁 Nanaimo Bathtub Race: The tubs hit the water today for the annual competition. [Info]
⚾️ “Pink in the Park” HarbourCats home game today. [1pm]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Westshore Rebels win home opener 45-25: Read about their new season and new coach at The Westshore
BC declares public health emergency over for COVID-19. [Capital Daily]
Dallas Road bluff scorched by beach fire, city says.
UVic Muslim community targeted by vandalism again. [Times Colonist]
Hanging out: A brown creeper climbs upside down on a branch in Saanich. [Photo]
A whale nearly hit a bathtub boater at last year's Nanaimo race. [CTV/YouTube]
That’s it!
If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.
And before you go, let us know:
What did you think of today's newsletter? |