Fri. May 12 - Low risk of flooding and wildfires this summer

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

We’re in store for an incredibly sunny and hot weekend and if you’re looking for something to do, check out the Capital Picks section to get info on Esquimalt Buccaneer Days, which got the most votes in Wednesday’s poll for the festival that signifies summer is here.

Looking for the results from yesterday’s poll on whether you’ll be using Uber? You’ll find them at the bottom of the newsletter.

NEWS

Vancouver Island unlikely to experience extreme flooding and wildfires this summer

As we head into a particularly hot weekend, the province is warning people throughout BC to be cautious as the risks of floods and wildfires rise.

According to Bruce Ralston, minister of forests, drought conditions throughout BC have worsened, leading to “more advanced fire behaviour than what is typical at this time of year.”

Thankfully for those of us in the southern region of Vancouver Island, the risk is much lower. While temperatures are expected to soar this weekend, hitting 28C Sunday and Monday in Victoria, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the more extreme effects of this weather.

David Atkinson, a professor of geography, focusing on climate, at UVic, said fires are usually stopped quickly on the Island, since “there’s a fair amount of infrastructure not too far away,” whereas remote fires on the mainland can go undetected longer. If wildfires do start on the Island, Atkinson said that they “are going to be human caused.”

“It’s not likely to be warm enough really to get a whole lot of thunderstorm activity—maybe in the interior, but not on the Island,” said Atkinson.

Flooding risks are also less significant on the Island than the mainland. Atkinson points to our smaller watersheds, saying they “aren’t really big enough,” unlike the larger watersheds on the mainland that have a higher chance of floods spilling over. Atkinson said that melting snowpacks could potentially be a flooding issue for those north of Port Alberni, but it’s unlikely the rest of the Island will see the same rising water levels as areas like the Okanagan.

The bigger risk to Islanders will be the potential of smoke—if pressure changes cause the wind to move toward the west, instead of the usual eastern-directed winds, we’ll have to deal with this byproduct of the mainland fires. This could negatively affect air quality in the region, though it could also keep the temperatures low.

Read the full story to find out how long into the summer we can expect to experience above normal temperatures. 

Capital Bulletin

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny. High 23C / low 11C.

🏡 Cougar spotted in Langford backyard: The sighting occurred near Treanor Ave on Tuesday evening.

🍺 Starlight Stadium to host Langford Beer Festival: Tickets go on sale today at 10am for the second annual event on July 15.

🥅 Canucks training camp in Victoria: The team will train at Save-On Foods Memorial Centre Sept. 21-25, with open practices and other activations for fans to take part in.

🐕 Pop-up dog parks: Summer long pop-ups are coming to Hyacinth Park, Lambrick Park, and Rudd Park.

NEWS

Victoria’s Jimbo becomes first Canadian Drag Race All-Star

Jimbo the Drag Clown is set to make her RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars debut today on season eight of the Paramount+ show, becoming the first contestant from an international Drag Race franchise to do so. Jimbo has already been in two series of Drag Race—the reality TV franchise that has been at the forefront of drag’s rise in mainstream popularity—finishing fourth on Canada’s Drag Race and seventh on Drag Race UK vs. the World. Jimbo’s unique approach to drag, with her witty humour and clown make-up, won-over viewers worldwide. Before competing on TV, Jimbo worked in Victoria as a costume and production designer.

Jimbo’s promo shoot dress, designed by Diego Montoya, is meant to evoke cherry blossom season in Victoria’s Chinatown. Victoria’s iconic cherries and plums make up 23% of the city’s public trees, and have become a local mark of spring ever since they were gifted by the region’s Japanese-Canadian community.

RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars features fan favourites from previous seasons to compete for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame and $100K. Jimbo will compete alongside fellow Drag Race alumni including Heidi N. Closet, Mrs. Kasha Davies, and Jessica Wild.

Jimbo will also host a Red Carpet Viewing Party Extravaganza in Victoria on May 27 at First Metropolitan Church, and will be joined by fellow all-stars contestant Heidi N. Closet and Canada’s Drag Race judge Brooke Lynn Hytes to watch episode four of the new season.

By Sarah Madsen

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Capital Picks

🏴‍☠️ Esquimalt Buccaneer Days: Participate in activities including a market place, pancake breakfast, and parade from May 12 to 14. [Details]

🥞 Quadra Village Day: Live music, children’s activities, and a free pancake breakfast are included in the festivities on May 13, from 10am to 2pm. [Free]

😎 Wanting to be emotionally present for the summer? You’re welcome at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*

🍍 Spongebob the Musical: Catch the final shows this weekend at the McPherson Playhouse. The production by The Victoria Operatic Society runs until May 14. [Tickets]

🍻 Ile Sauvage is now offering delicious, locally sourced food, perfectly suited to their 16 on-tap beers. Drop by the tasting room on Bridge St to give the new menu a try!*

🤝 Now hiring: Investment Administrator at Meritage Financial

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

⛳ Royal Oak Golf Course listed for $9.5M
The golf course has been informally used as parkland since its closure in 2015. Nearby residents have recommended restoring the golf course or transforming it into a municipal park. Zoning laws could impede some forms of land development. [Times Colonist]

🚓 Police report seizing $450K in contraband cigarettes
Victoria police say they confiscated the cigarettes and $65K in cash at a home on Chambers and at a storage locker in View Royal. [Police photos]

SPONSORED BY BLUE BRIDGE THEATRE

Blue Bridge Theatre presents Miss Julie by August Strindberg

A devastating examination of gender politics and class struggle.

May 30-June 11, 2023 | The Roxy Theatre | 250-382-3370

In Case You Missed It

🚗 Uber will launch in Victoria: The Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) approved a licence transfer for the ride-hailing service Wednesday. [Thursday newsletter]

👨‍💼 Buyers Agent: Navigate the home buying process with an experienced agent who has gone through the process hundreds of times before. Learn the benefits of Buyer’s Agency with 8X Real Estate.*

🍦 Tasting Victoria & Capital Daily’s 49 Below Philanthropint: Tastings of the Lavender Blueberry flavoured ice cream pint will be available at 49 Below’s Oak Bay location. 10% of sales will be donated to The United Way. Until May 13, enter into 49 Below’s Instagram giveaway.

*Sponsored Listing

YESTERDAY’S POLL RESULTS

Over 1,600 readers weighed in on whether you’d use Uber when it launches here in Victoria. Here’s what you said:

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, absolutely (74%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Only if I'm stranded (12%)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No way (14%)

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