Good morning {{First name}}!

The campfire ban that was put in place last Thursday is lifting tomorrow at noon. The announcement came at an interesting time, with an out-of-control Island wildfire newly declared earlier yesterday. But that fire is now being held and the forecast is showing cooler, rainy weather for the next few days.

Hopefully this means everyone can enjoy roasting marshmallows and gathering around a campfire over the long weekend, without risking a bigger blaze.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 16 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧 12 / 8

Day after: 🌦️ 14 / 8

7-day forecast

BC Ferries is kicking off its summer schedule two weeks earlier than usual in anticipation of a record-breaking season for water travel, propelled by seven FIFA World Cup soccer games being played in Vancouver.

“We anticipate that demand for ferry travel will continue to grow, especially during peak season when the system is under the most pressure,” said Brian Anderson, the company’s vice president of strategy and planning. 

Summer schedules with more sailings will begin June 11, two days before Australia and Turkiye play the first of those World Cup matches at BC Place Stadium. 

Anderson said the company completed refits on 22 ships, and regular maintenance was done on all 37 vessels in its fleet. The company said it has hired 630 seasonal employees and trained them earlier this year to align with the new schedule, which includes an additional 1,800 round-trips throughout the peak season.

“A really good news story is that a lot of crew from previous years have come back to work for us this summer, so we will have more experienced crew available working with us, which is fantastic,” said Melanie Lucia, the company’s vice president of customer experience.

BC Ferries said it has added sailings on key travel days, increased night-shift staffing and security, and added more ticket booths to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

For those planning a ferry trip this summer, Lucia has some straightforward advice: “Plan ahead. Book early and give yourself extra time. A little preparation will go a long way in what will be a very busy summer across the system.”

CORRECTION: A photograph that appeared in this space yesterday was of Lori Wanamaker, not Carole James, as indicated. Capital Daily regrets the error.

Recall: DAVIDsTEA brand Organic Sneeze Ease Herbal Infusion due to undeclared almonds. [CFIA]

Campfire ban will lift tomorrow at noon, allowing Category 1 fires ahead of the May long weekend. [BCWS]

Downtown road closures for 2 marches today. VicPD

Reopened: Pool at Oak Bay Rec. Centre was closed yesterday but reopened last night.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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It’s not just humans who instinctively reach for the snooze button when it’s time to wake up. Vancouver Island marmots have been feeling pretty sleepy this spring, but they’re finally starting to emerge.

The marmots began waking up in April after seven months of hibernation, but most decided to continue lounging a little longer. 

“There have been marmots who dug out, looked around, apparently decided ‘yeah, not yet,’ and went back down and into hibernation for a couple more weeks,” shared the Marmot Recovery Foundation (MRF) on social media in April.

“As spring approaches, marmot body temperatures start to cycle up into an active state and then down into a hibernation state more frequently.”

It appears they’re finally ready, though—the first two Island marmots were spotted outside their dens on May 7, and more have followed over the last week. 

After more than half a year of fasting, these critters are pretty hungry. The MRF began installing feeders on Monday, providing biscuits made of pressed, dried leaves that are highly nutritious.

Getting these marmots some energy is key—their first order of business after hibernation is to begin mating. 

“This is especially demanding for females who have to support a pregnancy and breastfeeding pups before they have recovered from hibernation,” the MRF wrote. 

The marmots typically lose between 30% and 50% of their body mass during hibernation.

“Females often skip a year of reproduction to regain enough body condition to support another litter.”

The birth of more litters—especially in the wild—is essential to the survival of the species. 

While there has been a promising uptick in the wild population number—there are at least 420 living in the Island’s alpine regions, up from 22 in 2003—the species is still considered endangered.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first Vancouver Island marmot recovery program. 

The conservation efforts have paid off. For the second year in a row, the marmots had their largest reproductive output on record, with 116 pups across 41 litters.

⚾ New Islander FanZone at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

🌊 Ocean Week returns to Victoria, starting May 30. [Details]

Wildfire Alberni Valley now being held after out-of-control concerns
The blaze was spotted near Cold Creek, also known as The Lookout, north of Highway 4. It was deemed “out-of-control” for much of Wednesday and the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District activated its Emergency Operations Centre in response. The fire size peaked at 1 ha before being brought down to 0.67 ha, when it was declared “being held.” Hiking or biking on nearby trails is currently prohibited. 

UVic can now punish AI cheating, even after graduation
On Friday, the UVic senate approved an expanded five-tier penalty system for student academic misconduct, allowing students to be sanctioned if an instructor finds it “more likely than not” that a student has violated academic rules. Prior to this change, “compelling” information of a violation was required. The types of defined violations were expanded to 20 from four and now include unauthorized use of AI content generators. There is no statute of limitations on enforcing penalties. [Times Colonist]

BC Transit presents ambitious 25-year plan for Greater Victoria 
BC Transit is visiting the South Island’s 13 municipalities to present its draft 25-year vision for public transit. On Monday, the bus company presented to Saanich Council. The Crown corporation’s wish list includes expanded rapid transit options, including light rail or trackless trams connecting the Westshore with downtown Victoria. Levi Megenbir, BC Transit’s manager of service planning, calls the draft “extremely ambitious.” [Black Press]

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🎻 Cascadia Strings: The award-winning string collective will perform at The Coda tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🩰 Take Flight: Emerging artists from the Victoria Academy of Ballet will host this evening of dance at McPherson Playhouse tonight. 6:30pm. [Info]

🤝 Caffe Fantastico Unplugged: Turn off the devices and connect in person, with crafts, games, and good conversation at the Kings location tomorrow. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

🫖 Alice in Wonderland: The ballet, based on the classic novel, will take audiences down the rabbit hole at Royal Theatre. Tomorrow 7:30pm; Saturday 2pm. [Info]

🍻 Big Patio Days: Whistle Buoy Brewing is bringing back its summertime beer garden with $5 pints, live music, and games in Market Square. Saturday. [Info]

👶 The Business of Child Care Info Session: The City of Victoria’s Business Hub invites you to a free info session on running a child-care business, either as a for-profit or nonprofit venture, at City Hall. May 26. 9-11am. [Info] 

Wednesday’s headlines: Carole James talks about Parkinson’s disease; More child-care spaces open on the Island; BC Nurses vote overwhelmingly for job action. [May 13]

Community pantry ordered shut in Esquimalt. [CHEK]

Vic High turns 150: Events May 21-23.

Central Saanich turns 75: The municipality is throwing a birthday party on July 25. [Details]

163rd Victoria Highland Games continue this weekend at Topaz Park. Last night, it was the Tilted Kilt Pub Crawl.

More recycling drop-off locations for flexible plastic and foam are now available. [CRD]

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