Vancouver Rundown Thursday May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

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Summary

BC Ferries is doing its level best to control the narrative ahead of what could be a very busy and challenging travel season. It’s projecting 8 million passengers and 3.2 million vehicles will use ferries between June and September. BC Ferries is now subject to possible fines for service delays after a couple seasons of delays and cancellations due to both mechanical problems and staffing issues. A BC Ferries spokesperson says they are in a better position now to bring customers the reliability they need.

Other news…

While the weather has helped slow the spread of the Parker Lake wildfire just outside of Fort Nelson, a blaze further north is now a concern. The 500 square kilometre Patry Creek fire is burning 25 kilometres from Fort Nelson and gusty winds have been a concern. That fire is a holdover, or so-called zombie fire, from last year. There is a slight chance of thundershowers in the forecast - which could be problematic for fire crews.

There are strong suggestions and rumblings that Gordon Campbell may be tapped to help unite B.C.’s two right-of-centre political parties. Political watchers in Victoria have suggested the former Liberal premier might be asked to broker a deal between BC United and the BC Conservative parties. The latest Abacus Data poll has the NDP leading the Conservatives by six points while BC United trails far behind.

B.C. is failing in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For the second year in a row, they’ve actually increased according to federal climate data. B.C.’s 2022 emissions came close to beating 2018’s record of 65 million tonnes of greenhouse gas.

There’s a slight chance of showers on Thursday and again on Saturday. Friday will be mostly sunny. Temperatures will be cooling down to the mid-teens over the next few days. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.