National

Weak Snow Layer Raises Risk Of Avalanche, Prompts Warning In B.C.

IANS, 22 Jan, 2016 12:18 PM

VANCOUVER — Backcountry hikers, skiers and snomobilers across British Columbia are being warned to take extreme care this weekend.

Avalanche Canada has issued a special public warning that begins today and remains in effect until Monday.

The warning applies to the northwest coast and southcoast inland, as well as to the Cariboo, Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary regions, the Purcell range and the Lizard-Flathead area in southeastern B.C.

Avalanche experts say a weak layer of snow has been buried under recent heavier snowfalls and the risk is especially pronounced at lower elevations, although hazards also exist at and above the treeline.

Avalanche Canada spokesman James Floyer says the snowpack has been relatively stable but the situation has now changed and recreational backcountry users must understand the conditions.

He says everyone should stay safe by remaining on low-angled terrain, even below the treeline, wearing an avalanche transceiver in transmit mode and carrying a probe and shovel.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Woman Dead Falling From Party Bus In Vancouver

Sgt. Randy Fincham says police received a report around 9:30 Saturday evening that a woman had fallen from a moving party bus at Burrard and West Hastings Street.

Woman Dead Falling From Party Bus In Vancouver

Alberta's Rachel Notley Says Document Shredding Ban Continues At Environment Department

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says a ban on document shredding will continue in the Environment Department until she is sure no more documents are improperly destroyed.

Alberta's Rachel Notley Says Document Shredding Ban Continues At Environment Department

Firefighting Funds Depleted: Record Number Of Wildfires In National Parks

Wildfires scorched a record amount of Canada's national parks last year — the latest in a number of long, hot summers that have almost entirely depleted Parks Canada's firefighting reserve.

Firefighting Funds Depleted: Record Number Of Wildfires In National Parks

Premier Kathleen Wynne Says Ontario Is Preparing Protocols For Physician-Assisted Death

The top court is holding an oral hearing today on the Trudeau government's request for a six-month extension to deal with the issue.

Premier Kathleen Wynne Says Ontario Is Preparing Protocols For Physician-Assisted Death

Somali-Canadian Woman Fights Revocation Of Security Clearance That Cost Her Airline Job

Ayaan Farah, 31, says Ottawa unfairly revoked her Transportation Security Clearance a year ago, leading to her firing from her full-time job of eight years.

Somali-Canadian Woman Fights Revocation Of Security Clearance That Cost Her Airline Job

Justin Trudeau Makes The Tabloids For His Family Vacation On Small Caribbean Island

The visit to Nevis, a small island that is part of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, was billed as a private family vacation, but it has become fodder for celebrity gossip website TMZ.