Cortes Radio News update – Earlier reports that Read Island’s wildfire was only 3 hectares were incorrect. More accurate mapping shows it actually spreads over 8 hectares. BC Wildfire spokesperson Jeanne Larsen says there is reason to hope the status will soon be downgraded but, technically speaking, after three days of intense fighting the Read Island fire is still out of control.
Continue reading Read Island Fire is still out of controlTag Archives: Cortes Island
Update on Read Island Fire
Cortes Radio News update – Though the smoke appears to have died down, Jeanne Larsen of BC Wildfire says the Read Island fire still covers about 3 hectares and the situation remains unchanged since our last report. Crews are currently building a containment line around the fire.
Continue reading Update on Read Island FireThe Read Island Fire
CKTZ News Report: Some of you may have noticed the smoke yesterday. Though there were initial concerns about the threats to buildings, no structures were lost. At this point, the Read Island fire is between two and three hectares in extent.
Continue reading The Read Island FireBecoming Nature Boy

George Sirk’s radio program comes from a lifelong passion. He became a specialist in “tropical ecology, in places such as Australia, Papua New Guinea and tropical America,” and later an expedition leader in the Canadian Arctic. He first brought this to the airwaves for CFUV in Victoria. George also produced seven minute clips on the Arctic for CBC’s Morning Show, before Prime Minister Harper cut back on funding. He returned to Cortes Island in 2016 and on February 1 became CKTZ’s newest talk show host. In this morning’s interview, I ask George Sirk about becoming Nature Boy.
Continue reading Becoming Nature BoyBecoming Cortes Community Radio

George Sirk whispered “Cortes Radio” for years before he found the right pair of ears. This led to a meeting at Manson’s Hall, to discuss possibilities. Howie Roman attended and, six months after the station was launched, became a DJ. He still is. “My prime interest in Cortes radio is [that] I really enjoy having a show.” Howie served on CKTZ’s board for five years, the maximum amount allowed by the society’s constitution, and now is the station’s manager. In this morning’s interview, I ask Howie about the process of becoming Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ 89.5 FM.
Continue reading Becoming Cortes Community Radio