7/16 Smokey Bear, border opening, ecosystem health, NW summer, BC methane, Kimberly-Clark cleanup, cruise ships, ship crash, grizzly, coyotes, oil cleanup, opah, week in review

Smokey Bear

 
Smokey Bear
Smokey Bear is an American campaign and advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service. In the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history, the Ad Council, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), in partnership with creative agency FCB, employ Smokey Bear to educate the public about the dangers of unplanned human-caused wildfires. A campaign began in 1944 featuring Smokey and the slogan "Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires". His slogan changed to "Remember... Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires" in 1947 and was associated with Smokey Bear for more than five decades. In April 2001, the message was officially updated to "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires" in response to a massive outbreak of wildfires in natural areas other than forests (such as grasslands), and to clarify that Smokey was promoting the prevention of unplanned outdoor fires, not prescribed burns. (Wikipedia)

Fully vaccinated Americans may enter Canada as of mid-August
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday Canada could start allowing fully vaccinated Americans into Canada as of mid-August for non-essential travel and should be in a position to welcome fully vaccinated travelers from all countries by early September. Rob Giles reports. (Associated Press)

How healthy is the Salish Sea? Canada-U.S. study tracks ecosystem decline
A joint Canada-U.S. report on the health of the Salish Sea has found either an overwhelming decline or stable trend in nine out of 10 environmental indicators tracked by researchers. The only positive? Shellfish. Stefan Labbe reports. (Coast Reporter)

Hot NW summer: More high temps and low precipitation ahead
Crews are trying to contain wildfires that have already burned tens of thousands of acres throughout the Northwest. The already dire situation is being made worse by gusting winds, a lack of rain, and above-average heat. The coming months aren't likely to be much better. Angela King and Katie Campbell report. (KUOW)

B.C. oil and gas sites releasing up to 2.2 times more methane emissions than federal estimates: study 
New research, supported in part by the BC Oil and Gas Commission, confirms what watchdog groups have been arguing for years — that some of the province’s most significant greenhouse gas emissions aren’t being properly counted and accounted for, with potentially serious consequences for Canada’s stated climate targets. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Legacy of pollution makes Everett port project ‘challenging’
Though dump trucks hauled away some 14,000 loads of polluted material last year, much remains below the surface where the Kimberly-Clark pulp and paper mill once stood along the waterfront. Metals, PCBs and other chemical remnants of milling still taint sand and silt, highly vulnerable to seismic shifts. Pilings that once supported mill buildings are buried alongside debris of brick and concrete. Sawdust and other wood wastes fill underground pockets up to 40 feet deep that will compress under heavy weight. The vestiges of the plant’s century-long life make for conditions geotechnical consultants have deemed “challenging.”  Rachel Riley reports. (Everett Herald)

Cruise ships to be allowed to visit Canadian ports in November
Cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters on Nov. 1, the federal transport minister announced Thursday. Minister Omar Alghabra said cruise companies will be required to "fully comply with public health requirements" in order to sail through Canada's waters and dock at its ports. Federal officials had originally extended the cruise ship ban until the end of February. Speaking from Victoria on Thursday, Alghabra said the government felt it was possible to shorten the restriction period since the country has made progress with vaccinations and reducing COVID-19 case counts. (CBC)

Ship crash in Vancouver harbour blamed on 'systematic failure,' communications 'breakdowns'
A federal investigation into two bulk carrier ships that crashed in Vancouver's Inner Harbour two years ago has blamed the collision on "breakdowns in situational awareness and communications." The Transportation Safety Board released its report into the incident on Thursday. The March 17, 2019, crash saw the ship Caravos Harmony — a 229-metre bulk carrier loaded with 70,000 tonnes of corn — crash into another bulk carrier more than double its weight, the 292-metre, 170,000-tonne bulk carrier Pan Acacia. David P. Ball reports. (CBC)

1st female grizzly in 40 years collared in Washington state
Wildlife biologists have captured a female grizzly bear in Washington state for the first time in 40 years, fitting it with a radio collar so they can track its movements, officials said Thursday. The grizzly, along with her three cubs, were released to help biologists learn more about the endangered animals, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists captured the bear about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Washington-Idaho state line on U.S. Forest Service land. Nicholas K. Geranios reports. (Associated Press)

Vancouver Park Board says 4 coyotes euthanized after more than 30 attacks in Stanley Park
Conservation officers tracked and euthanized four coyotes in Stanley Park Wednesday night after months of unprovoked attacks on visitors, according to the Vancouver Park Board... [O]fficers are continuing to patrol the popular downtown park and that the trail network west of the causeway is closed for people's protection until further notice. (CBC)

Oil cleanup complete at historic shipwreck off Vancouver Island
The Canadian government says the removal of oil from a shipwreck off Vancouver Island is complete after oil was spotted leaking from the wreck in December. On Monday, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan said roughly 60 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and diesel had been removed from the MV Schiedyk, which sunk off Bligh Island in 1968...The U.S.-based Resolve Marine Group was contracted to help remove the fuel in the spring. Much of the oil was coming from the ship's four fuel tanks after the vessel had sunk to a depth of roughly 122 metres. Adam Chan reports. (CTV)

Tropical fish rare to Oregon Coast found on beach
A fish rarely found on the Oregon Coast washed up on Sunset Beach north of Seaside, The Seaside Aquarium said. A 3.5-foot, 100-pound opah was reported to the aquarium Wednesday morning, according to the aquarium’s Facebook page. Sunset Beach is located between Seaside and Warrenton on the northern coast. Aquarium officials said on social media that after seeing photos of the fish staff responded and recovered it. (Associated Press)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 7/16/21:  Snake day, marbled murrelet, Meadowdale Beach, Nooksack water, tree fungus, ecosystem health, B'bay cleanup, shellfish loss, WA drought, Tongass NF, 2030 flooding, ship crash, NW summer, border opening

Now, your weekend tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  248 AM PDT Fri Jul 16 2021   
TODAY  SW wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 2 ft  at 8 seconds. Chance of showers. 
TONIGHT  NW wind to 10 kt in the evening becoming light. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 8 seconds. A slight chance of  showers. 
SAT  Light wind becoming NW to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 9 seconds. A slight chance of  showers. 
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 2 ft or less. W swell 4 ft at 10 seconds. 
SUN  W wind to 10 kt becoming NW 10 to 20 kt in the afternoon.  Wind waves 1 ft or less building to 1 to 3 ft in the afternoon. W  swell 4 ft at 10 seconds.

--
"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. To subscribe, send your name and email to msato (@) salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

Follow on Twitter. 

Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told