Good Monday to you, Squamish.
Local meteorologist Jason Ross says that the next frontal system will reach the area later today with more periods of rain.
We will see a high of 19 C today and an overnight low of 11 C, according to Environment Canada.
Upcoming bus route change
A sure sign the end of summer is near, BC Transit and the District of Squamish are reminding riders that the Route 5 South Parks bus, which travels from downtown to several locations and attractions, including Oceanfront Squamish, will end for the season as of Sept. 3.
Free weekend transit will also end for the season.
"Customers are encouraged to use the Umo app,Transit app, Google Transit or any other real time trip planning app to see trip times and plan your journey," reads the news release.
For more information about trip planning, schedules and to sign up for customer alerts, go to bctransit.com/squamish
Dollarama opening?
Folks have been asking us when Dollarama will open downtown in the former Dollar Tree location on Winnipeg Street.
A spokesperson said the second Dollarama store is set to open by the end of the year.
This will have no impact on the other Dollarama location in Garibaldi Village, which will continue to operate.
Not a lot of exacting detail from the company, but that's what we know.
Campfire bans
There are currently 312 wildfires burning in B.C. as of Aug. 26.
Even though we have seen some rain this week, there remains a municipal campfire ban in place for Squamish.
It was put into place on July 9.
There's also a ban on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires.
The following activities are not allowed:
- Campfires (Category 1)
- Category 2, Category 3 open fires
- Fireworks
- Sky Lanterns
- Binary Exploding Targets
- Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
- Air Curtain Burners
- Tiki torches
- Wood-burning saunas and hot tubs
The following are never allowed in Squamish:
- Fires in any public space, including forests, riverbanks, mountainsides, beaches
- Open Air Burning, including but not limited to: yard waste, garden debris and construction materials
Still allowed are cooking stoves that use gas, or propane, or portable campfire devices that use liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
There's also a BC Wildfire Service province wide campfire ban that went into effect on July 12.
This means that in addition to campfires not being allowed within Squamish, they are not permitted in any areas outside of it.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 911 if within the municipal boundaries, or, if outside the district, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
Still no kiting at oceanfront beach
In the wake of a man's death, while he was kiteboarding off of Sp'akw'us Feather Park on July 1, the District of Squamish has temporarily closed the beach to kiteboarding while an investigation into the incident is underway.
"Kites are being restricted out of caution to ensure public safety. Wingfoiling and windsurfing continue to be permitted," a District release states.
Access to Pepahím̓ (Spit Island) for kiteboarding is available through a shuttle operated by the Squamish Windsports Society.
Shuttles take place daily between noon and 7 p.m., with access to the shuttle launch a short walk from the Sp’akw’us Feather parking lot.
Visit squamishwindsports.com for more information and current weather conditions.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Aug. 26 was at 6:21 a.m. Sunset today will be at 8:07 p.m
Moon phase
The moon is in its last quarter, phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 47.04%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
The moon is currently located in the constellation of Taurus.
It is currently 373,304.54 kilometres from Earth.
Moonrise is at 11:15 p.m.; moonset is at 3:48 p.m.
The next full moon will be on Sept. 17, at 7:21 p.m.
Tides
High tide today is at 1:27 p.m. (Height:4.04 metres); the next low tide is at 5:47 p.m. (3.5 m), according to the site tides.today.
The last high tide is at 10:51 p.m. (4.28 m).
Seawater temps
The current surface water temperature in Howe Sound on Aug. 26, measured at Halibut Bank (49.34N 123.72W), is 17 C, according to this Government of Canada site.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town. Here's one event that stood out for us.
•Sept. 4, nerds unite at Nerd Nite S2S, at the Brackendale Art Gallery: Café & Culture Centre, at 41950 Government Road, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Three fun 18-minute presentations on different subjects. Eat, drink and learn," reads the listing.
There are many more events coming up; go to our online events calendar to see them all!
Want a possible shout-out in our daily report? Load your event into our free calendar, by clicking "create an event."
Looking ahead
Ross says that high pressure will start to rebuild over the south coast Tuesday into Wednesday, with a return to more typical late summer conditions with seasonable temperatures.
Gas prices
On Aug. 26, regular gas in Squamish is cheapest at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar, located at 9001 Valley Dr, where you can fill up for 171.9 cents per litre.
In Whistler, gas is selling for 177.9/L at the Chevron at 8110 Crazy Canuck Dr.
In Pemberton, petrol is at the pump for 176.9/L at the Petro-Canada 1440 Portage Rd
The least expensive gas we could find today in B.C., was in Mission, where you can fill up for 148.9/L, at the Petro-Canada at 32081 Lougheed Hwy, according to GasBuddy.
Road warnings
•Starting today, Aug. 26, until Thursday, Aug. 29, on Highway 99, in both directions, watch for road sweeping, which is planned between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Brio Entrance for 100.7 km (West Vancouver to Whistler). The work will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.
•On Highway 99, northbound, watch for tree pruning that is planned between Copper Dr. and Watts Point Rd. for 3.7 km, starting Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9.a.m. until 3 p.m. The right lane will be blocked. The tree trimming is for BC Hydro vegetation maintenance.
•Also, on Highway 99, in both directions, expect road maintenance work between Alice Lake Rd. and Daisy Lake Rd. for 0.8 km (4 km north of Squamish), starting today until Thursday, Aug. 29. The work is planned from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm. each day. Watch for traffic control personnel. A counterflow will be in place, northbound traffic in the southbound fast lane in the Cheakamus Canyon area.
• On Highway 99, northbound, roadside brushing is planned between Daisy Lake Rd. and Alpha Lake Rd. for 15.7 km (Whistler), starting today, as well, until Thursday, Aug. 29. The work is expected to be ongoing from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The left lane will be closed. Watch for traffic control personnel.
•On Highway 99, northbound, watch for construction work between Park St. and Portage Rd. (Pemberton), until Sunday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.. The shoulder is expected to be closed. Work is for the drilling of a new watermain at junction of Pemberton Meadows Road and Collins Road.
•On Highway 99, mowing is planned between Hat Creek Rd and the end of Highway 99 for 20.1 km (70 to 50 km north of Lillooet). Watch for slow moving vehicles.
Find the latest road warnings on the DriveBC site.
