9/26 Huckleberry, Kitimat LNG health, WA wildfire funding, Victoria tourism, vanishing fish, democracy watch, week in review

 Red Huckleberry

Red Huckleberry Vaccinium parvifolium
There are about 450 species of Vaccinium worldwide, about 40 in North America with about 15 in the Pacific Northwest. Red huckleberry is found along the Pacific Coast from southeast Alaska to central California. Mostly in the lowland forests west of the Cascades in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon; the California coast, and the Sierra Nevadas.  It is the most common Vaccinium in the Oregon coast mountain ranges. (Native Plants of the PNW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Monitoring and preparing — for earthquake — at Mount Baker

Sleepless nights, toxic smoke: life beside Canada’s first LNG export plant
Residents of Kitimat, B.C., say LNG Canada’s operations are leaving them exhausted and worried for their health, while governments double down on more LNG expansion. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

WA lands commissioner wants $100M boost for wildfire funding 
Dave Upthegrove wants a $60 million boost for wildfire prevention funding that was shortchanged in the last legislative session. Plus, he is seeking $44.8 million more for wildfire fighting for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs through next June. Emily Fitzgerald reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Victoria tourism industry sees best season in 10 years 
The region’s hotels set decade-high numbers for occupancy, average daily rate and revenue per available room, while B.C. Ferries and Victoria International Airport set records of their own. Andrew A. Duffy reports. (Times Colonist) 

Shadow fish
The modern race to save an ancient and vanishing species. Hannah Nordhaus reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• Arizona lawmaker calls for WA congresswoman to be executed for urging Trump protests (Washington State Standard) 
• As immigration raids step up, US citizens predicted at risk for detainment (Washington State Standard) 
• Trump escalates retribution campaign with charges against Comey and threats against liberal groups (AP) 
• Fired feds, Trump lovers and veterans: Meet the people applying for ICE jobs (NPR) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/26/25: Koala Friday, newborn orca, green crabs, international waters treaty, DOD 'forever chemicals,' ship noise monitoring, Trump's 'green scam,' BC LNG health, Roadless Rule totem pole, US climate isolation 

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  340 AM PDT Fri Sep 26 2025    
TODAY  S wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 11 seconds. A chance of rain this morning, then rain likely  early this afternoon. A chance of rain late.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  SE wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to S in the afternoon. Seas  4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 13 seconds. Rain likely.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, backing to SW after midnight.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of  rain.  
SUN  SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at  12 seconds. Rain likely.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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