A special avalanche warning has been issued for much of B.C. and southern Alberta, after a spate of recent storms has hiked the risk of human-triggered avalanches.
Avalanche Canada, in partnership with Parks Canada, Kananaskis Country, and the Province of B.C., issued the warning on Thursday, Feb. 29, for recreational backcountry users across most of B.C.鈥檚 and Alberta鈥檚 forecast regions.
The special warning is in effect immediately and will apply through the end of Monday, March 4.
Avalanche Canada Forecaster Tyson Rettie said that recent storms have deposited a significant amount of snow across Western Canada. This new snow sits on prominent weak layers established in early February. Now that the storms have abated, the natural avalanche activity has slowed but human-triggered avalanches remain likely.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been tracking these weak layers closely over this past month,鈥� Rettie said. 鈥淲hile their structure has different forms across different regions, the result is the same 鈥� highly problematic layers that remain reactive to human triggering.
鈥淭his has been the biggest storm of the season, and we know backcountry users are eager to enjoy the snow,鈥� Rettie added. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 vital to not underestimate the instability of these weak layers. Any avalanche triggered on them could be deadly.鈥�
Making cautious terrain choices will be an important strategy for all backcountry users over the next few days. A good way to do this is by sticking to lower-angle slopes and choosing smaller objectives that minimize the consequences of an avalanche.
鈥淕iven the unpredictability of avalanches, and their devastating potential consequences, we鈥檙e urging everyone to stay safe by exercising caution and making informed decisions when planning a trip in the backcountry,鈥� said Bowinn Ma, BC鈥檚 Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. 鈥淧lease follow the guidance of Avalanche Canada during this time of heightened risk.鈥�
Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at . Everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gear鈥攖ransceiver, probe, and shovel鈥攁nd the training to use it.
