Aug 19 - Smoke over the Island, emergency in BC

Good morning !

We hope you’re having a good weekend, and I hope that those of us who have relatives in or near Kelowna, Yellowknife, or other fire zones get good news on those fronts soon.

— Cam

Today’s approx read time: 8 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 26 / 14 

Tomorrow : ☀️ 28 / 11

Monday: ☀️ 24 / 11

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Moderate risk today (4/10), moderate smoke in morning expected to become heavier in afternoon.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Smoke coming to Island as BC declares state of emergency over mainland fires

BC is in a state of emergency, as of just after 6pm yesterday, due to multiple major wildfires. Fire evacuations had by that time grown to around 15,000 people, with thousands more on alert.

The most prominent BC wildfire this week began near West Kelowna, growing on Thursday under dry and windy conditions and leaping the lake to begin a second branch on the north side of Kelowna and up to Lake Country. The Interior has further evacuations in the Shuswap / Chase area east of Kamloops.

Other major fires blaze elsewhere in BC, in Washington State, and in around Northwest Territories capital Yellowknife—from which the city’s population of about 20,000 has been evacuated.

The province may use emergency powers to ramp up and enforce its advisory against unneeded travel to central Interior and southeastern BC. CBC last had a fire state of emergency in summer 2021, not during the infamous Lytton fire but rather for the July-Sept.

Smoke visits Victoria this weekend

Smoke from these fires will break what has been a fairly smoke-free run for the South Island this summer—amid Canada’s worst wildfire season on record—even considering the disruptive major Island fires early this season. Smoke is expected to accumulate today and become more substantial tomorrow.

The region has had short smoky periods in most recent years, with the most severe being the Sept. 2020 smog from US West Coast fires.

Over a dozen Island fires now burn

Fires currently burning on the Island include seven in the Strathcona Park area in the Island’s middle, one near Sooke, and a recent one on Quadra Island that crews worked overnight to contain.

Yesterday Capital Daily’s sibling publication the Fraser Valley Current looked at what it’s like on the front lines of firefighting in BC.

by Cam Welch

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Wanted man: VicPD announced a Canada-wide warrant on Friday for Jeremy Fry. He beached conditions while on parole for second-degree murder nearly 40 years ago. [Image]

Dr. Bonnie Henry Commemorative Community Garden opens at Huntingdon Manor hotel.

NEWS

Jubilee-area Turner Building could be rebuilt, with a new plaza, after 20 years unused

Once the heart of the Jubilee North neighbourhood, when Ian’s Coffee was a gathering place for hospital workers and neighbours alike, the 1940s-built Turner Building has sat unused for over 20 years.

Nearly demolished in 2013 over safety, after a section of wall fell onto the sidewalk, public outcry got it a last-minute reprieve. It was then bought by Island Cardiology Holdings Inc., but proposals to develop have come and gone while it remains boarded up and increasingly derelict.

Now, though, new visual renderings pitch five residential floors with 55 rental units, and ground-floor commercial space for a cafe or restaurant. These come after new owner Empresa Properties announced in April that it had an official plan.

Pedestrian-only plaza pitched

The plans also propose to partner with the City of Victoria to close off part of side-road Birch at Richmond to use for farmers markets, music, and other community gatherings. The former Fort Royal Medical Centre, across Birch, was recently redeveloped into a seniors’ complex.

Old building would be demolished

The building’s striking appearance—curved, “flat-iron” design and iconic neon red sign—and sentimental history have garnered a small fanbase in the city, including a Facebook group dedicated to posting memories of it.

But Empresa founder Karl Robertson said water damage and mould have essentially “rotted it to its core,” and told Capital Daily that he anticipates asbestos and lead paint will complicate the demolition. The new building would have details paying homage to the original design, including the bullnose shape.

Project still years away

Robertson said he hopes for a 2025 start if the project completes a fifth CALUC (community and land use committee) meeting soon and then applies to the city this fall.

"The dialogue with [council] and staff have been overwhelmingly supportive," said Roberston.

By Robyn Bell, with Cam Welch

NEWS

Block parties, cat videos, Olympic qualifiers:
Even more weekend events

Yesterday we rounded up some of the biggest local events, such as the Tour de Victoria, the Function, and a fibre arts fest. But there are yet a few more—check out some of the major ones below, and even more further down. 

Lighthouse Brewing 25th anniversary block party
Lighthouse started in the summer of 1998, when only 20 craft breweries were operating in BC, and soon saw success with its still-popular Race Rocks Amber Ale. Since then it’s become one of BC’s longest-operating craft breweries, and today it celebrates those 25 years with a block party at 836 Devonshire (Esquimalt) featuring ‘90s tunes and new and old brews. Free / all ages / 3-9pm.

More at Tasting Victoria

Flavour Trails festival celebrates peninsula life
The North Saanich Flavour Trails Festival is a weekend-long festival celebrating the farming, fishing, brewing, distilling, and cider-making that makes this rural community so unique. There are multiple events this weekend, but the Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture will host sheep shearing, agricultural education, and zucchini racing.

More at Tasting Victoria.

2023 Rugby Americas North Sevens tourney
The Rugby Americas North Sevens is coming to Starlight Stadium this weekend, with both Canada’s men and women competing for a spot in the 2024 Olympics. Cheer on the players and watch a match, as the tournament also acts as a qualifier for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2024.
The teams, which train out of Langford, are headlined by Victoria-raised young superstar Sophie de Goede.

Roller derby season finale
Another season of the intense but good-humoured sport wraps on Saturday at the Archie Browning Centre. A junior match opens, then the Belles of the Brawl face the Margarita Villains for the Calamity Cup. All-ages plus a beverage garden, and hot dogs and Greek food to eat.

Free movie nights
The Free-B Film Festival’s free movies every weekend at Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park continue tonight with Napoleon Dynamite. 9pm.
Meanwhile, Colwood Church is hosting a showing of Elemental today at 2250 Sooke Road, 3pm. Free popcorn and drinks.

Cat Video Fest at The Vic Theatre
Enjoy a compilation of the best cat videos in support of Cat’s Cradle Animal Rescue today. All ages event 3:30pm, 19+ event 5:30pm.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🏊 Fall aquatics at Crystal Pool: Register for swim lessons and aquatic fitness programs.

🏡 Open Houses: Casually browse for your next home. View all the open houses scheduled this weekend.*

🍻 Vote for the best craft brewery: The BC Ale Trail is taking votes for the Best Brewery Experience Award, with winners to be announced in Oct. Vote here.

🕸️ Spiders under domes: Locals have been spotting the namesake webs of Sierra Dome Spiders in Gowlland Todd and other local hiking areas.

😊 Now hiring: Payroll Clerk at the Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Sea-Doo burns at Sidney boat launch
Only minor injuries were suffered when the personal watercraft caught fire at the Tulista Park boat launch Thur., afternoon. Sidney Fire says part of the dock is damaged and not available for use. [Peninsula News Review]

HarbourCats’ Haney named WCL coach of the year
Third-year head coach Todd Haney was honoured after he guided his squad to a 38-15 West Coast League record, including 25 wins in 27 regular-season games at home. The ‘Cats lost to Bellingham in the WCL final last week.

🗓️ Things to do

 🎤 The Function Festival: The arts and music festival celebrating Canadian BIPOC talent will take place at Ship Point Harbour today.

👕 Community Garage Sale: Hunt for old treasures and used gems today at Victoria Event Centre, 12-4pm. Entry is free.

🛩️ BC Aviation Museum open house: See some civil and military airplanes up close today and tomorrow in North Saanich, 10am-4pm. Admission by donation.

🖼️ Art and yard sale: Philanthropic Educational Organization is hosting the sale at Oak Bay United Church to raise funds to support women’s education.

🎸 The Chuckleberries at Butchart Gardens: Enjoy the music of Chuck Berry today on the open-air stage, 6:15pm.

🎸 Heavy metal at Bay Street Armoury: Performers tonight include Nott, Under the Mountain, Moonbather, and Empress. Doors 8:30pm, show 9:30pm.

🎙️ London Calling at Hermann's Upstairs: A tribute performance to The Clash, The Who, and The Kinks. Doors 7pm, show 8:30-11:30.

💃 For Dancers Only at Victoria Event Centre: Join in on this Garden City Soul Club dance party tonight, 10pm.

🎙️ Louise Rose at St. Paul's United Church: The renowned jazz vocalist will perform in Sidney tonight. Doors 6:30pm, show 7-9pm.

🩷 Barbie World at Capital Ballroom: Dress up in pink tonight for this party that features outfit contests, a photo booth, a pink runway, and Barbie tunes. 10pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

 Friday’s headlines: New hotel airport confirmed, weekend events, seniors home gets provincial funding for renovations, and more. [Aug. 18]

Thursday’s headlines: Arrests at Fairy Creek, Aug. average rental prices, nurse imposter charged for View Royal offences, and more. [Aug. 17]

BC Hydro sets record for energy use, due to this week’s heat wave.

Cowichan River heats up—as do calls to close the river to fishing: Water temperature hit 24C earlier this week, prompting an increase in the number of dead mussels and crayfish. [CHEK]

VW workers ask Saanich council to rethink bylaw amendment which would prohibit vehicle sales on a section of Douglas slated for major future development. [Times Colonist]

That’s it!

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