Expect a Major Avalanche in the News in the Next Month
Victor
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12/29/2005 9:37 PM
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Most likely in Europe.

Warm Weather Triggers Avalanche, Kills B.C. Guide; Flood Warnings in N.B.

canada.com

2006-01-16

FERNIE, B.C. (CP) - Unseasonably warm weather was blamed for an avalanche that killed a ski guide in remote southeastern British Columbia and prompted a flood warning along New Brunswick's St. John River.

The guide was swept away while checking a weather station near a ski lodge in southwestern British Columbia on Saturday.

Island Lake Resort spokesman John Birrell said the unidentifed employee was reported overdue at about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.

"At that point, (other employees) had noticed that an avalanche had come down and travelled around a corner and come uphill into the weather station site. So they called rescue immediately at that point in time," said Birrell.

With the aid of an avalanche-rescue dog and search equipment, crews located the guide buried under 1.5 metres of snow.

The employee was flown to a nearby hospital but could not be revived.

Birrell said warm temperatures were a factor in the avalanche.

"It's a combination of events. Yes, it's warm and we've had a significant amount of snow in the last seven, eight, nine days. It's a combination of snowfall, warm temperatures etc., etc., etc.," he said.

It was foggy and snowing at the lodge at the time of the avalanche.

The ski guide's death coincided with Avalanche Awareness Days being held at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna in the B.C. Interior.

The program includes events to educate the public on how to prevent and deal with an avalanche.

"We're teaching people how to dig snowpits and how to check the layers of the snow to show people when you shouldn't be going down the hill," said Blair Ireland, director of guest services for the resort.

Justin Trudeau, who lost his younger brother in an avalanche 140 kilometres from Fernie in November 1998, spoke on Friday to a group of children.

Blair said Trudeau, son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, had a "tremendous" presence with the kids.

Michel Trudeau died when an avalanche swept him into a lake in Kokanee Glacier Park.

Justin Trudeau became an outspoken advocate for avalanche safety and is the director of the Canadian Avalanche Foundation.

Elsewhere, unseasonably warm weather sparked flood warnings.

A warning was issued on Saturday in New Brunswick along the St. John's River.

The province's Emergency Measures Organization warned anyone living or working in areas prone to ice-jam flooding to exercise caution.

Officials expected water levels to increase rapidly on Sunday and Monday, before levelling off on Tuesday.

Emergency Measures Organization spokesman Andy Morton said anyone living or working in areas prone to ice-jam flooding should keep an eye on water levels.

"The best thing (people) could do is be aware that the potential exists," he said. "If you feel strongly that you might be subjected to some flooding, take steps to protect property, maybe move stuff out of low areas."