Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - The other earthquake

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 | ☀ High 30C

Good morning!

Given the drought conditions and dry temperatures, why is there still no fire ban?

An Insider member emailed asking us that question. It’s one that is regularly asked each summer. Sometimes, the reason is unclear or unsatisfactory. But having just written this story about BC’s fire season, I think I have the answer to this one.

I’ve tried to explore some key aspects at the bottom of the newsletter in the members’ only section. We’ll be answering other member questions at the bottom in future editions. Just ask us a question and we’ll try our best to answer it.

Thanks to Melanie for asking the question, and to new members Gary, Garry, and Janice. Whether or not your name is Gary, we’d love to have your support.

NEWS

The valley’s local earthquake fault

You’ve probably heard about The Big One: a potential earthquake caused by shifting tectonic plates just off the coast of Vancouver Island.

But in the Fraser Valley, there’s another potential earthquake threat lurking in the mountains just south of Sumas Prairie.

While it’s less likely to strike than The Big One, if it does, it could deliver an even more powerful jolt locally, with potential impacts on dikes, the Nooksack River, and homes on the Sumas and Chilliwack floodplains.

• Today, Tyler writes about the Boulder Creek Fault and its potential to shake homes in the Fraser Valley.

Need to know

⭐ A barbecue-and-beer fundraiser in Langley will raise money to help feed kids in need [Langley Advance Times]

👍 Abbotsford kids needing one-to-one support to attend camps will be able to get help this summer [City of Abbotsford]

🚗 Uber will be available in Chilliwack starting today at noon [Chilliwack Progress]

❌ A Harrison Hot Springs councillor has resigned, saying he can no longer work with the village’s mayor [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]

👉 Graduating Hope high schoolers were honoured in a blanket ceremony [Hope Standard]

🔥 Two wildfires west of Harrison Lake continue to burn out of control; you can see the locations and latest burn areas using NASA’s FIRMS mapping data [NASA/FIRMS]

🔥 The Chehalis River fire north of Chehalis Lake tripled in size to 152 hectares yesterday, the latest BCWS information says [BCWS]

🔥 The Statiu Creek wildfire north of Chehalis Lake is still listed at 12 hectares, the latest BCWS information says; it is about 6km west of Sasquatch Mountain Resort [BCWS]

✈ Flair Airlines generates more complaints than any other Canadian airline [National Post]

🚁 An RCMP helicopter followed a driver from Langley to Surrey after clocking them travelling at more than 150 km/h [RCMP]

🦆 A former gravel pit in Langley should be preserved as a wetland, not developed, residents told council [Langley Advance Times]

🌤 You can find your local weather forecast here: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope

⚠ Here’s the current smoke forecast [Firesmoke.ca]

🚘 Driving today? You can check the current traffic situation via Google here [Google] | You can find DriveBC’s latest updates here [Twitter]

☀️ Kick off summer at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat festival Jun. 24-25, with Dear Rouge and Sabai on the TD Main Stage, and the continent’s biggest dragon boat races!*

*Sponsored Listing

The Agenda

Warm June predicted

Various weather models suggest that May’s dry, warm weather is likely to carry over into June.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s models suggest that nearly the entirety of the country will see warmer-than-normal temperatures over the coming months. Those predictions are echoed by American models, which suggest that northern Washington and areas immediately across the border from the Fraser Valley will see much higher temperatures than normal in June.

Winning banners selected

Four street banners have been selected to celebrate Chilliwack’s 150 anniversary.

Each competing artist was asked to “recognize the uniqueness of our community, including its diversity.” The Chilliwack Public Art Advisory Committee selected four images from 18 different submissions. A total

Marcela Obregon painted two of the winning designs: one depicting Mt. Cheam and another showing a blue heron. A second rendering of Mt. Cheam, this one by Guru Sawra, was also one of the winning designs. Rounding out the winners was a colourful illustration of Chilliwack’s Five Corners intersection by Tommy Green (the creative mind behind a geometric mural off Mill Street painted for last year’s Chilliwack Mural Festival).

A total of 200 banners will be erected. The city expects the project to cost $32,000.

The banners will be displayed throughout the city until the end of the year. (Interrupted, in the downtown area, by banners honouring veterans in November).

Council’s final approval of the banners will come during their meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Council will also look at the future of highway policing and a plan for advertisements at the Fairfield Island ball diamonds.

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