Weather Forcast

SYNOPSIS: Hot and dry conditions continue with changes beginning toward cooling temperatures today (Thursday), a rise in minimum RH values and winds continue to be moderate. There is a risk of thunderstorms through a good portion of CoFC this afternoon and evening. It’s expected any lightning will be on the dry side and very little rain will be produced. Friday will see mostly seasonal temperatures. A risk of thunderstorms remains for tomorrow with most activity expected east of the Coastal Fire Centre.

OUTLOOK: Saturday to Monday: Unstable conditions continue into the weekend,
along with a downturn in fire behaviour. Temperatures will be seasonal for most of the fire
centre and minimum RH values continue to recover. The eastern side of the Pemberton and Fraser fire zones remain the direst spots but improve from where they have been. It looks to be quiet storm wise through the weekend. Winds take a small uptick in gusts into Sunday with 30-40 km/h gusts expected. As the low from the Pacific continues to push inland showers and rain are expected in the northern zones late Monday.

Active Fires

• Bear Creek (V1110) - Fraser Zone - 65 ha - Out of Control
  • This fire was reported in the late afternoon on July 29.
  • We responded with Initial Attack and aviation resources.
  • On July 30, two unit-crews and aviation resources were assigned to this fire.
  • This fire is suspected to be human caused.

• Cogburn Creek (V11010) - Fraser Zone - 3.4 ha - Under Control
• Alexandra Bridge Park (V10998) - Fraser Zone - 2.5 ha -Under Control
• V10830 - Fraser Zone - 0.8 ha - Being Held

• Comox Lake Fire (V81029) - North Island Zone - 5.6 ha - Under Control
  • This fire was reported on July 21 and responded to with a swift initial response, including Initial Attack crews, helicopters and air tankers.
  • On July 23, the status of this fire was changed to Under Control, which means a wildfire that is not projected to grow beyond the current perimeter.
• Nahmint Mountain (V70527) - Mid-Island Zone - 19.8 ha - Being Held
• Barsby Lake Fire (V61089) - South Island Zone - 2.24 ha -Under Control
  • This fire was reported on July 27, and we responded quickly with three Initial Attack crews, two response officers, along with air tanker support. Additional Night Vision Imaging System aircraft worked into the night on Sunday to.
  • On July 29 the status of this fire was moved to Under Control.
• Nanaimo River Road (V61030) - South Island Zone - 3 ha - Under Control
  • Reported on July 21 and responded to with initial attack crews, helicopters and air tankers.
  • On July 23, the status of this fire was changed to Under Control.

For the most up to date information on fire incidents, visit the BC Wildfire Dashboard

Smaller, human-caused bush fires continue to plague many of the Cowichan Valley fire departments daily and a quick response by the local departments with mutual aid is usually able to keep these fires from escalating to the Provincial response. Those fires are not included on the BC Wildfire Dashboard

Thetis Island continues, along with the South and Mid-Island Zone to be in EXTREME fire danger class rating. Please take advantage of our Fire Smart Home Preparedness Plan and contact Stu Downey at firesmartthetisisland@gmail.com for more information or a FireSmart Wildfire Exposure Assessment for your property.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

Telegraph Harbour Marina Pizza Patio Night

Pizza Patio Night 

Neapolitan Pizza • Wine & Beer • Sunset Vibes

Kick back with a glass in hand and the smell of pizza in the air. It’s Pizza Patio Night — where the pizzas are hot, the drinks are cold, and the sunset does the rest.

$17 Neapolitan pizzas made fresh to order. 

Wines 

Craft beer 

Chill patio vibes

Ice cream by the scoop....

Dine in or take away — no need to pre-order, just show up! Our pizzas cook fast and are worth the wait.

Friday and Saturday 5pm — 9pm

July Rainfall

July 2025: .9 mm

July 2024: 11.6 mm

Average July: 12.2 mm

July 2025 YTD: 436.8 mm

July 2024 YTD: 593.6 mm

Average YTD: 509.5 mm

Lowest July: '0' mm in 2013 and 2021.

Highest July: 38.5 mm in 2022

Keith Rush 

From the Library

Today, Thursday is the day to drop of your book donations from the famous Book and Bake Sale on Saturday.

I will be at the hall 10-12. Maybe earlier maybe later.

If this does not work for you, leave them on the patio, bring them on Friday, we set up at 10, or before 10 on Saturday.

Thank you for your continued generous donations to this event.

Celine

Join the ThINC Bio-Blitz Challenge - Discover Nature, Win Prizes!

Hey Nature Lovers!

In case you missed it, ThINC is hosting a Bio-Blitz Challenge using the app iNaturalist. It is a fun and meaningful way to explore Thetis Island’s wild side while contributing to real scientific research. Whether you're part of a ThINC program or just love snapping photos of local plants and critters, this is for you!

You’ll learn to identify plants, animals, and marine life through hands-on activities and guided experiences woven into programs like: Junior Biologists, Sea Life Centre Critter ID, and Expert Excursions. OR - take it on solo - go ID crazy and upload your sightings anytime!

How to join:
1. Sign up at iNaturalist
2. Join our project: ThINC 2025 Bio-Blitz - www.inaturalist.org/projects/thetis-island-nature-conservancy-2025-bio-blitz

Start observing! No need to be connected - upload photos when you can.

The challenge runs until August 24th, but any photos taken since June 1st count.
There will be prizes, with winners announced at the Nature House wrap-up on August 24!

Got questions? Reach out to Amelia at amelia@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

See you out there,
The ThINC Team

FireSmart Tip

FireSmart Tip - Build a ‘Stay at Home Emergency Kit’ and a ‘Leave Immediately Grab-and-Go Bag’.

When it comes to wildfires, it’s always a good idea to start preparing—even if you feel like you aren’t at risk. Taking proactive steps to protect your home and family can make a big difference if the unexpected happens.



Follow this link for instructions and videos: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/build-an-emergency-kit-and-grab-and-go-bag

For more info, email firesmartthetisisland@gmail.com

Structure Protection Unit/FireSmart, an auxiliary of TIVFD

Waterman/Marathon Prone Paddle Boarder Paddle with Hands

Hi Friends of Thetis and the Sea 

I am hoping you’re having a great Summer and enjoying the epic weather

My Name is David.  I am a Professional Waterman And Member of the Canadian National Paddle board Team.   

Recently I have been training on my traditional Prone Paddleboard off the shores of Thetis.
Prone paddle board discipline requires the use of hand paddling on your knees, different than Sup ( standup) where a paddle is used.

I just wanted to take a sec and reach out and state that on numerous occasions this week, while training I have been approached by people on the shore, inquiring if I’m in distress or in need of an extra paddle.

Thank you very much for checking in on me everyone.

If you see me out paddling with my hands on my orange paddleboard I’m doing OK out there.

In gratitude, 

David

Looking for an E-Bike

If anyone has a fairly new, lightly used, sitting in your garage not being used E-Bike, I could be interested in buying it from you! 

Please call Joe @Emcon, 250 538 8004! 

Cheers!

NEWS RELEASE: July 30, 2025: Islands Trust Council gives first reading to the draft Policy Statement

https://islandstrust.bc.ca/document/july-30-2025-islands-trust-council-gives-first-reading-to-the-draft-policy-statement/

On August 13th, 6:30 pm the Quw'utsun Cultural Connections Society is hosting a presentation on the 1887 E&N Land Grant (Grab) and its lasting impact as a major act of dispossession of Indigenous people.

In 1887, the Dominion government took more than 800,000 hectares of unceded Indigenous land, and gave it to the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company as payment for building a 115-kilometre railway. Belonging to the Coast Salish and Nuu-Chah-nulth peoples, this belt of land was 32 kilometres wide, stretching from near Sooke in the south to Campbell River in the north.

This seizure and privatization of land, known as the E&N land grant, marked a major act of dispossession for Indigenous peoples. The land was quickly subdivided and sold off, mainly benefiting a few wealthy, politically connected settlers and companies. Over time, these "private forest lands" remained under industrial and private control, with companies holding large blocks of land originally belonging to Indigenous nations.

The ongoing struggle is about how private property rights have been repeatedly protected and enforced on this unceded Indigenous land, especially in opposition to efforts by Indigenous groups like the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group to reclaim and assert their rights. This history is part of a longer story of Indigenous resistance to the E&N land grants, and it highlights the ongoing disputes and issues around land ownership, forestry, and Indigenous title on Vancouver Island.

The work presented is part of a larger collaborative project that is inspired by, and in conversation with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group, Estair Van Wagner, Sarah Morales and Brian Thom. Find more information here.

Location: Vancouver Island University - Cowichan Campus Theatre, Duncan

Registration: To help us track registrations please register through Eventbrite. If there are tickets available, you are welcome to just show up on August 13th. By donation at the door.

Recording: The presentation will be recorded and made available for viewing after the event.

Presenters:

Michael Ekers, Department of Human Geography, University of Toronto

Michael Ekers is a faculty member in the Department of Human Geography at the University of Toronto. He has been researching and writing about the legacies of the Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway land grants for the last decade, with a focus on the extractive forestry practices specific to so-called private land and enduring exercise of Indigenous rights and title to the same belt of land. He teaches in the areas of environmental geography, political ecology and economy and agrarian studies. Prior to his life in academia, Ekers worked in the forestry industry for nine years, mainly in British Columbia.

Albie Charlie, Quw'utsun Elder

Shared by Stephanie Cottell

Thank You for a Successful Nature of Water Weekend!

Dear Fellow Thetis Islanders,

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the Nature of Water Weekend - it was a wonderful success!

Special thanks to those who generously hosted site visits and shared their knowledge through engaging talks: Matthias and Jutta Zapletal, Mike Harris, Doug Fenton, Vicki Walker, Pauline and Alex Harwood, David Slade, and Tobi Elliot.

Together, we explored one of our most precious shared resources - water - and deepened our understanding of what we can do to help protect and conserve it for future generations.

With gratitude,

ThINC & CCR

Looking for a Ride to Victoria

Hi, our 20-year-old son is looking for a ride to Victoria either the evening of Aug 4th or morning of Aug 5th. Is anyone heading that way? Happy to pay for gas!

Thanks!

The Watsons

ellen_mark_watson @yahoo.com