June 9 - World record set in Saanich

Good morning !

There was plenty of above-average heat this weekend, but none of it was record-setting. A major record was set the other day in the region—but in a cool pool, rather than the hot outdoors. Read on to learn about that international achievement along with items on some other local sports successes, the latest Island wildfire, and more.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤 25 / 12

Tomorrow: ☀️ 23 / 12

Wednesday: ☀️ 20 / 12

NEWS

New swimming world record set in Saanich

Summer McIntosh, the Toronto-raised three-time Olympic champion, reclaimed the world record in women’s 400m freestyle at Saanich Commonwealth Place. The local pool was hosting the Canadian Swimming Trials, a week-long event that determines who Team Canada will send to the world championships in Singapore next month.

McIntosh previously held the world record but had it snatched away in 2023 by Australian Ariarne Titmus, who also defeated McIntosh for the Olympic gold medal last year. But McIntosh beat that time on Sat. by more than a full second with 3:54.18. She is now the world record holder in two 400m events: freestyle and individual medley.

McIntosh, 18, nearly broke another world record on Sunday, finishing the 800m with the third-fastest time ever confirmed at 8:05.07. She trimmed five seconds from her own Canadian record, but in the final stretch couldn’t maintain a pace that would have defeated US swimming star Katie Ledecky’s world record.

Watch the record-setting swim here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

UV index 9 (very high) today. Guidelines recommend shade, sunglasses, SPF 50+, and minimizing 10am-4pm sun exposure.

Temperature is 6-7 degrees cooler in areas where winds blow ashore (today & tomorrow).

Summer recreation registration opens today for City of Victoria programs.

Bowker Creek Blueprint Open House tomorrow (drop-in 3-7pm) at Camosun Lansdowne. [Info]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Island records first notable June wildfire amid hot weekend weather

An out-of-control wildfire near Port Alberni was at 10ha yesterday afternoon and expected to continue growing. 

Major wildfires continue to burn in the prairies and in western Ontario, affecting the smoke quality in many parts of Canada and even as far away as the UK. But so far, BC's South Coast and the Island have avoided both wildfires and the smoke from fires elsewhere. 

BC's big wildfires are mainly in northeast

Yesterday the Peace River Regional District issued more evacuation orders after the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire merged with another fire and grew to more than 600km². A fire spanning the BC-AB border near Grande Prairie has also sparked multiple evacuations. 

Island's first notable heat spell of summer

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for this weekend warning of an “Early Season Heat Event” that could pose health risks. Victoria passed 25C for the first time in 2025, though it didn't get up to 30C—which was flagged as a possibility in the heat warning. Still, because people's bodies are not yet adjusted to summer, the first hot stretch of the year can often affect them as much as hotter temperatures do later on in the season.

What to expect this summer

Above-average temperatures have been expected throughout most of BC through spring and June (despite La Niña usually corresponding to below-average heat). On the Island, May was mostly warmer than normal. This all adds up to likely drought effects, and elevated fire risk, once again this summer—something that this recent heat will also contribute to. 

The BC Wildfire Service is asking the public to report any wildfires. That can be done by phone (*5555 on cell), desktop, or the BCWS app—through which you can also submit photos.

WHAT'S OFFSHORE

A cruise ship with a race track onboard

Large ships visiting Victoria yesterday:

• Ever Sigma, a 2005-built container ship sailing from Tacoma to Vancouver under a UK flag.

• Quantum of the Seas, a 2014-built cruise ship sailing under a Bahamas flag.

• Norwegian Joy (built 2017, 🇧🇸), a cruise ship known for its colourful hull and on-board go-kart racing track [see below].

SPONSORED BY BPM FITNESS CENTRE

Customer Appreciation Days - Celebrating 9 Years 🥳

Locally owned and operated BPM Fitness Centre is celebrating 9-years in business June 9-15th with Customer Appreciation Days featuring,

• FREE fitness classes like strength conditioning, bootcamp, HIIT and HYROX

• Prizes in every class & giveaways

• A HUGE sale on Personal Training, class passes, and merch

This week only, try your first fitness class or Personal Training intro session for free and experience BPM's inclusive and welcoming community. But hurry, space is almost gone!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🤿 Comb jellies bioluminescing near Port Hardy. [Facebook video]

🦢 Discover nature in a new way this summer at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary! Sign up for one of our programs today.*

🏳️‍🌈 Nanaimo’s annual Pride Parade was this past weekend: See photos & video at NanaimoNewsNow. Victoria’s parade is in a month.

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

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Local teams head to BC high school golf championships, beginning tomorrow
Royal Bay and Oak Bay secondaries are the Island’s top-ranked teams and are in Salmon Arm this week for the big tourney. Royal Bay’s athletes are also part of the school’s gold academy program, through which they train at nearby Olympic View golf course four times a week. [Times Colonist]

Victoria's Nathan Rourke makes CFL history in season opener 
The local star's match-up against Edmonton's Tre Ford was the first time two Canadian starting quarterbacks have faced off in opening week. The Lions, who played last month in Langford for preseason, won 31-14 behind Rourke's 3 TDs, 324 rushing yards, and 54 passing yards. [TSN / CP] 

Truck crashes into ferry ramp in Powell River 
RCMP said the pickup was heavily damaged and the ferry had to be inspected. The driver was ticketed $552 for improper brake performance. 

SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Feel the Rhythm of Change

Explore how music became a powerful force for justice in Beyond the Beat: Music of Resistance and Change. From Neil Young’s harmonica to Chuck D’s baseball jacket, discover iconic protest songs and artists who challenged injustice. Don’t miss this inspiring travelling exhibition from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, May 30–January 5.

🗓️ Things to do

🍋 Millstream Elementary’s Lemonade Stand: Raising money for wildfire-related charities. 1:15-3:30pm Mon. [Info]

💡 TEDxVictoria: Ripples: Dive into a day of big ideas with speakers exploring how small actions can spark global change. Expect powerful stories, fresh perspectives, and community connection. McPherson Playhouse. Tuesday. 9:30am-4pm. [Info]

👨‍🌾 Bear Mountain Farm Market. Local produce, handcrafted goods, treats, and live music. 4:30-7:30pm Tues. [Info]

🐐 40 years of cute goats: Beacon Hill Children's Farm celebrates its anniversary on Thurs. June 12 with story times, animal talks, a scavenger hunt, and of course the goat stampedes. [Info]

💃 28th annual FernFest: Fernwood Square hosts another round of music & community fun. Fri. & Sat. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday news: BC recruiting US doctors—and one is coming to Colwood. New restaurant roundup. Last week's top stories. [June 8]

Saturday news: Mapping Canada's kelp forests. Oak Bay Tea Party. New federal protections for orcas. [June 7]

Hwy 1 closed for an hour near Thetis yesterday afternoon after a crash that hospitalized one person. [CHEK]

$575 fine for throwing cigarette butts out of a car, Saanich Police warn after grass fire.

Bear nest in Cumberland. [Facebook photos]

Victorian named NHL's top coach: Spencer Carbery is from here in the capital, but now coaches the Capitals. [Sportsnet]

Oak Bay Tea Party photos. [Instagram]