Happy Thursday, Squamish.
Today is print delivery day for The Squamish Chief.
Give our delivery maven Denise a wave if you see her out and about in our delivery van.
Here is how the weather is set to shape up in the coming days if you want to read us outside.
Environment Canada says we can expect it to be sunny, with a high of 31 C, except 26 near the water, and an overnight low of 15 C.
The UV index will rise to 8, or very high, on July 17.
What does this really mean?
"Look out! Don't stay too long in the sun, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wear your sunglasses (the special UV ones) and stay in the shade. Put on more sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or working up a good sweat," reads the Environment Canada definition.
Sunrise was at 5:24 a.m. this morning, and sunset will be at 9:13 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its last quarter phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 54.45%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces.
Howe Sound conditions
The water temperature in Howe Sound today is 15 C at the Halibut Bank buoy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Allergens
According to Aerobiology Research Laboratories data, this is the pollen situation in our region:
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
Today's top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (Low)
True Grasses (Low)
Tomorrow, July 18
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
Other stuff you should know
BC Hydro outage today
BC Hydro posted notice of two planned electrical outages in Squamish today.
The area affected is: 39600—39700 block Clark Rd., 39600 block Government Rd.
This will impact 12 homes until 3 p.m. today, July 17.
"Planned work being done on our equipment," the utility's website reads.
Got something to say?
The provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is seeking public feedback and a request from Woodfibre LNG. The company is proposing to add a second floating worker accommodation, or Floatel #2.
This second floatel would be a retrofitted cruise ship moored south of the existing floatel and would house approximately 630 workers for two years.
The comment period is open until Aug. 02, 2025. Go to the EAO webpage to comment.
Be wildfire smart
**Important Reminder: A complete campfire ban is in effect across our region due to heightened wildfire risk this summer season.
The BC Wildfire Service notes that over the three long weekends of this summer, the Wildfire Prevention Ambassador Program, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Land Guardians, and Natural Resource Officers are activating an information kiosk at the entrance to the Upper Squamish Valley Forest Service Road.
Representatives will be sharing messages about safe use of open fire, campfire prohibitions, how to report suspected illegal activities, and more.
"The BC Wildfire Service Fire Wardens and Squamish Nation Land Guardians will increase patrols in the Valley for prevention, detection, and reporting of wildfires and illegal activities," the post reads. "The Conservation Officer Service will also be deployed for environmental compliance and enforcement, shared stewardship and public safety."
They will be out in force:
Friday, Aug. 1 to Sunday, Aug. 3
Friday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Aug.31
Provincial Park fully open after bear closure
Black bears are definitely out and about in Squamish right now.
Areas of Stawamus Chief Provincial Park that were closed, due to the presence of a food-conditioned bear, have now reopened, the District says.
"Park Ranger staff monitored the closure areas daily and did not see evidence of bear activity during these patrols. There have been no reports of negative human-bear interactions in Stawamus Chief Park since the closures were implemented," reads the District post on the matter.
The muni offers the following advice for park goers:
Do not leave backpacks or attractants unattended. Prior bear activity included a bear taking unattended backpacks from bouldering areas, the base of climbing routes, and along the hiking trails in the park.
Store attractants in vehicles or in provided bear caches if leaving items unattended for any period.
Campers should not leave any attractants in their tents and should cook meals in the provided cooking shelter areas.
Any park visitor who leaves attractants unattended may have these items confiscated and may be evicted from the park.
All park users recreating in bear country are encouraged to travel in groups and to carry bear spray.
Please report bear sightings to the park operator on site and / or the RAPP Line (1-877-952-7277).
X̱wún̓eḵw Park closure notice
The District says that X̱wún̓eḵw Park on the Mamquam Blind Channel downtown will be closed for sea dike and flood protection upgrades until summer 2026.
Impacts will include:
Closure of the park, including the water access, watercraft storage facility and Main Street parking area.
Alternative public water access is available at Sp'akw'us Feather Park.
Construction noise and vibration due to construction activities including pile driving and ground densification work.
Short-term traffic disruptions on Loggers Lane.
"This work is an integral part of the ongoing dike upgrade program identified in the District's Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan (IFHMP). The District has been in contact with user groups of the Squamish Paddling Club Storage. The X̱wún̓eḵw Canoe Shelter will still be accessible," reads the muni's social media post.
You can go!
The public washrooms have opened at Sp’awk’us Feather Park, on the oceanfront.
The washrooms are located at 37111 Sp’ak’wus Landing, between the parking lot and the green space behind the children’s playground.
The toilets are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to a post from the District.
There are four stalls in total, all of which are gender neutral.
Two of the stalls are accessible with baby change stations.
Water restrictions
Water restrictions have been in effect since May 1.
The muni has set Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions.
Stage 1 means lawn watering is limited to two days per week.
"In the summer months, water consumption nearly doubles. The outdoor water use restrictions are in place to effectively manage the supply and demand of water across the community during the warmer months," the District said in a social media post.
Locals with even-numbered addresses water on Wednesday and Saturday.
Locals with odd addresses water on Thursday and Sunday.
Watering can take place from 4 to 10 a.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m.
Permits may allow additional watering of newly seeded lawns and new sod. Call the Public Works office at 604-815-6868 for more on those permits.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek water restrictions
Watering restrictions are also in effect for Britannia Beach and Furry Creek as of June 1, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) announced in its newsletter.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek water system users are asked to limit their use of water for sprinkling and irrigation to the following times:
- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chipper days!
Squamish FireSmart is hosting Chipper Days for the 2025 wildfire season.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The District reminds locals that Squamish DOX Recycling, located at 40446 Government Road, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The recycle hub accepts a variety of recyclable materials, including: glass, flexible plastics, foam packaging, paper and cardboard, containers (plastic, metal, and paper).
Live view of the Stawamus Chief ⬇️.
