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.sa国际传媒檚 and Albertasa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e been tracking these weak layers closely over this past month,sa国际传媒� Rettie said. sa国际传媒淲hile their structure has different forms across different regions, the result is the same sa国际传媒� highly problematic layers that remain reactive to human triggering.

sa国际传媒淭his has been the biggest storm of the season, and we know backcountry users are eager to enjoy the snow,sa国际传媒� Rettie added. sa国际传媒淏ut itsa国际传媒檚 vital to not underestimate the instability of these weak layers. Any avalanche triggered on them could be deadly.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淕iven the unpredictability of avalanches, and their devastating potential consequences, wesa国际传媒檙e urging everyone to stay safe by exercising caution and making informed decisions when planning a trip in the backcountry,sa国际传媒� said Bowinn Ma, BCsa国际传媒檚 Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. sa国际传媒淧lease follow the guidance of Avalanche Canada during this time of heightened risk.sa国际传媒�

Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at . Everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gearsa国际传媒攖ransceiver, probe, and shovelsa国际传媒攁nd the training to use it.