North Saanich firefighters have been called to a couple power outages on the Saanich Peninsula today, as high winds have sent branches and entire trees onto power lines.
Captain Steve Knapp of the North Saanich Fire Department was on Dalkeith Road this morning, after residents called in reporting a tree had come down onto power lines and had caught fire. By the time he arrived, he said the fire was out and the tree was hanging precariously on the cables. Power, as of this hour, was cut to nearby homes and Knapp said BC Hydro could give no indication how long the power would be out.
Knapp said North Saanich municipal crews would be arriving on Dalkeith Road to block both sides to keep people away from the tree, which he said would probably have to come down.
BC Hydro crews are responding to close to 50 power outages in the south Vancouver Island region, including five on the Saanich Peninsula. In addition to the outage on Dalkeith Road, about five homes were left without power on Dolphin Road after wind blew branches down onto wires.
There are three reported outages in Central Saanich, according to bchydro.com's list of power interruptions in the region — one on Thomson Road, one west of Woodview Lane and another between Central Saanich, Saanich, Highlands and View Royal. Combined, 109 homes are without power in Central Saanich, affecting more than 1,100 homes.
Environment Canada issued a wind warning today, as forecasters expect winds of between 70 and 90 kilometers per hour for all areas within Greater Victoria.
BC Ferries has cancelled some sailings of vessels on smaller routes today, including the Brentwood May to Mill Bay route this morning. For updates, check bcferries.com and search for service notices at the top of the home page.