Fire Danger Rating Drops to "High"

The Fire Danger Class rating on Thetis Island has dropped to HIGH. Early shift high hazard activities are in effect. Cease work by 1 pm and post a fire watch when finishing work. Have a shovel, water and a cell phone at the site. 

Campfires and other outdoor fires are still prohibited. Propane campfire appliances are not restricted.

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

Chief for a Day Contest Deadline – Tuesday, August 25

The Chief for a Day art contest for 4–12-year-olds who would like a chance to ride in the Fire Engine at the front of the parade next Saturday, closes on Tuesday at 6 pm. A draw from all entries will be held at the firehall Tuesday evening. Artwork with a fire safety or firefighter theme is encouraged. Entries must be on a regular piece of paper with the child's name, age and parent or guardian's contact information on the back. The winning entrant will have their parent or guardian ride with them in the Engine during the parade.

Entries can be dropped in the marked box outside of the front door of the firehall on Mission Road. All artwork will be displayed at the Extinguisher Clinic after the parade.

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

Chair Yoga Returns

August 24 and 31st, Chair Yoga 10-11 Monday

Start September with a new health habit, we finish with a delicious lay down and guided meditation.

Newcomers are welcome, don't be shy. We play a little light jazz in the background, lively, gentle way to start your week. We are casual, we laugh, we hug, we enjoy the movement.

Monday Morning Gentle Chair yoga is back

10-11 am Forbes Hall

You are invited to come join a gentle class to explore stretching, strengthening, lengthening movements for better balance and skills for healthy aging. Yoga simply yokes the breath to the movement helping with emotional and physical well-being. By donation.

Just a yoga mat, a blanket and we practice with a solid, well-padded chair, wear comfy clothes. Water bottle.

Questions? Concerns - text Dawn at 250.Two10.0826 and set up a time to explore any concerns you have.

Six New Wildfires on Southern Vancouver Island

After all the lightning across Vancouver Island last night, we're now seeing the results.

Six new fires are burning on southern Vancouver Island as of Sunday morning.

The new wildfires appeared on the BC Wildfire Service map following the lightning storm that moved through the Island overnight Saturday.

The lightning map from 9pm Saturday really puts this into perspective. Hundreds of strikes were recorded across the region, including through the same general areas where these new fires are now appearing.

BC Wildfire Service says the storm increased the potential for lightning-caused wildfires, and crews have been assessing affected areas for new starts.

They're also warning that additional lightning-caused wildfires may be identified over the coming hours and days. (Sometimes the lightning causes underground tree roots to smoulder for days after the tree was struck, and eventually ignite)

Some of the areas where these fires are burning are extremely dry right now, so BCWS will be keeping a very close eye on them

The TIVFD was out on Sunday early for several 9-1-1 calls from people on Vancouver Island seeing smoke columns on Thetis. We had one member hike up Burchell Hill and others search different areas for smoke or the smell of smoke. We even put a drone up. Fortunately, nothing was found, but we very much appreciate the support.

We did have several lightning strikes to trees on Thetis Saturday night, but no lasting fires occurred. The downpour helped immensely. We attended a tree strike at the end of Pilkey Point Road at around 11 pm and it was checked again Sunday morning.

If you're anywhere on southern Vancouver Island and you're seeing smoke, let BCWS know roughly where you saw the smoke column. Call *5555 on a cell phone or 9-1-1.

From BC Wildfire Service messaging

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

Near-total Lunar Eclipse on Thursday August 27

A near-total partial lunar eclipse (when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow) will be visible from Thetis Island on August 27, 2026. The event begins at 7:56 p.m. (with moonrise around 8:02 p.m.), peaks at 9:12 p.m., and ends just after midnight, lasting over four hours.

Jeannine Caldbeck

Thetis Island Marina Pub is CLOSED tonite (Sunday, August 23)

The Thetis Island Marina Pub is now closed for the evening (Sunday August 23rd) due to a plumbing emergency. We hope to be open to operate in the morning.

Our liquor, convenience and gas dock are still up and running.

We are so sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks

Marina Staff

Nature House – Sunday, August 23

Here's what's on today!

1-3pm SLC Drop-in: SLC Superstars (All ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre, Telegraph Harbour Marina

Today is the last day the SLC will be open for the season. Come say goodbye to our finned and tentacled friends before they are released back into the big blue next week!

2-5pm S4: Growing Old Growth with Tal Engel (All ages)

Location: Forbes Hall, followed by a walk on the Lawrence Valley loop

Healthy, resilient forests are at the heart of Tal Engel's work. Join us as he discusses his research into how successional dynamics and industrial management regimes affect the resilience and health of forest ecosystems, and their potential to survive and attain old-growth status.

Following the talk, Tal will lead us out onto the Lawrence Valley loop trail for a hands-on exploration of his restoration initiatives, forest stand dynamics, and the characteristics of a healthy forest. A fitting way to close out the S4 season - head and feet in the forest together.

About Tal: Tal Engel is a regenerative farmer and forest rehabilitation practitioner with a deep passion for forest health. This passion led him to found WolfTree, which develops and implements forest rehabilitation models aimed at addressing the challenges our ecosystems face, from fires, floods, and droughts, to biodiversity collapse and hydrological dysfunction, with a long-term vision of fostering the regeneration of old-growth forests.

The People's Apothecary Garden - Still Open!

Though the Nature House summer program has wrapped up for the season, the PAG remains open to the public during daylight hours until the end of October. Come wander, explore, and enjoy the late summer / autumn garden at your own pace - plant card decks organized by category are in the box on the back of the gate.

We hope to see you there and thank you for a wonderful summer!

ThINC

Did you lose a sweater?

A small turquoise blue sweater was left at the Goosey Gander Shop sometime on Saturday.

Call Nan at 246-4944 for pickup.

Sunday Church

The speaker this Sunday the 23rd is Tim Keller.

How to avoid evil, Matthew 4:1-11.

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.

Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144.

Dawson Burdick's Departure

Hello everyone,

I'm just letting you all know that I will be leaving Thetis Island this Saturday after 6 fantastic years, with no bitterness or remorse but a sense of leading to go on to other things.

I have had the opportunity to meet many of you selling hay and compost and other farming things and I need to pass on the contact information so you guys can continue to reach out and so we can help meet your needs as possible.

From today to the 25 of Aug., you can call or text Sam at 902-955-8698

From the 26 of Aug. onwards please call or text Johnny at (250) 606-7427

Thank you for your friendships, I hope to see you around.

With gratitude

Dawson Burdick

Maintenance Assistant, Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre

Free Flat-screen TV & Oar for Sale

Free- Sanyo flat screen TV- 26inch with remote & stand

For Sale – 10-foot sweep/sculling oar- $50.00

Call 250 246-4968 or text 250 710-5801

Jamie

Free Bathtub & Upright Freezer for Sale

Free Bathtub. Very good condition. Beige in colour 36" wide x 64" long approx. 20" high.

Westinghouse upright freezer for sale: 60" tall x 28" wide x28" deep. Very good condition. $175.

Phone/text. 250-706-5345.

Pauline Harwood