As backcountry operations across the province close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Avalanche Canada is stopping its avalanche forecasts early this season.
Today (March 24), Avalanche Canada announced it will issue its final forecast on March 28, about a month earlier than usual.
“Avalanche Canada’s forecasts rely primarily on data from a network of avalanche professionals across western Canada,” said Mary Clayton, spokesperson with Avalanche Canada.
“The early closure of backcountry operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic has cut off much of that data stream, so the warning service is no longer receiving enough information to issue accurate forecasts.”
The decision comes as the healthcare system prepares for an increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
“We do not want to provide a service that promotes recreating in mountainous terrain, where there is often significant hazard,” said Gilles Valade, Avalanche Canada executive director.
“Both B.C. and Alberta have declared a state of emergency. Our health authorities, as well as our prime minister, are urging people to stay home. This is clearly not the time for taking any sort of risk.”
The Mountain Information Network, where backcountry users can submit their own avalanche information, will also be shut down at the end of March, to discourage people from entering the backcountry.
“We feel it is essential that we work together and do what we can to avoid putting any extra load on our healthcare system at this time,” Valade said.
