North Cowichan

A campfire ban is being reintroduced across much of British Columbia’s Coastal Fire Centre, including most of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, as hot, dry weather raises wildfire danger. The restriction begins July 16 and is expected to remain until October 31 unless lifted earlier.

Volunteers in the Cowichan Valley are rescuing young salmon from drying pools in Meade Creek as drought and low water leave fish stranded. Experts say the fry must be moved carefully to colder water to survive.

Ladysmith is moving to Stage 3 water restrictions on July 3 as Holland Lake levels continue to drop. The town says drought conditions are worsening and water use must be reduced to protect the municipal supply.

A blue-green algae advisory has been issued for Lower Thetis Lake in Thetis Lake Regional Park. Officials are warning people and pets to stay out of the water because the bloom may contain harmful cyanotoxins.

Snuneymuxw First Nation conservation crews rescued more than 5,000 young coho salmon from drying side channels of the Nanaimo River as unusually low flows and warm temperatures stressed the fish. Many of the smolts were tagged and released into cooler main-river habitat where their survival chances are higher.

The Regional District of Nanaimo has moved to Stage 3 water restrictions because of abnormally dry conditions on eastern Vancouver Island. Lawn watering is now limited to one day a week, while some areas already under Stage 4 restrictions remain unchanged.

A baby emu near Nanaimo was born with two extra non-functioning legs and is being cared for with braces and daily monitoring. After being rejected by its siblings, the chick has been adopted by ducklings and may eventually go to a sanctuary if it stays healthy.

Low snowpack and falling lake levels have forced early reductions in Cowichan River flows as the watershed heads into a dry summer. Managers warn that additional cuts and even pumping may be needed if dry conditions continue.

Greater Victoria has just experienced one of the driest Mays ever recorded, according to Environment Canada data, raising concerns about drought conditions and the months ahead as Vancouver Island heads into wildfire season.

Habitat loss, predators, and urban pressure have driven a more than 90 per cent decline.

A mother cougar and two adolescent cubs have been repeatedly sighted in Mesachie Lake, B.C., since August, prompting safety concerns from residents. Conservation officers are monitoring the situation and advise precautions but say there’s no evidence of aggression toward people.

A bloom of non-toxic Noctiluca algae is lining Saanich Inlet’s shoreline; safe for swimmers and shellfish consumption so far. Scientists say the bloom is not producing toxins yet, but could as the water gets warmer. “This one is a bit early!” said Galbraith.

The annual toss of salmon carcasses helps provide essential nutrients for Douglas Creek as part of restoration efforts.

“We spent the weekend outdoors camping on the peninsula and notices shoreline grasses has dried and shriveled.”

New fish have been spotted in a recently revitalized section of Craigflower Creek in View Royal, B.C., thanks to a development site with an environmental focus.

In 2022, a record number of Bigg’s killer whales (orcas) and humpback whales were spotted in the waters surrounding Victoria as well as south along Washington’s border.

A B.C. photographer and her dog found a Giant Pacific octopus washed up on the shore of a Vancouver Island beach.

Two distinct species of orcas feed and socialize in the waters of Puget Sound: fish-eating endangered southern resident killer whales and transient, or Bigg’s, killer whales, which feed on marine mammals and are more common. They seldom mix.

In 2009, the numbers dropped down to just 500 pairs of Chinook returning. Yet, as of Tuesday, more than 8,000 Chinook had returned to their Cowichan River spawning grounds. The improvement is the result of years of conservation efforts by Cowichan Tribes, who have worked to restore the river to its course before logging operations changed the river.

The most common pod of southern resident killer whales who migrate to the Salish Sea during the summer have not been seen for than 100 days, marking a highly unusual absence from their historic summer hunting ground, according to researchers.