Heed on avalanche risks — ‘there needs to be a shift in thinking’

Three separate avalanches in one week, lately, resulted in the deaths of five individuals. Once again, these purely avoidable deaths have raised serious questions about how backcountry users approach avalanche awareness and safety. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Kash Heed, has sent a stern message to back-country recreationists who ignore avalanche warnings.

While the same hot debate seems to rage every year about this time, with some demanding more regulation, stiffer penalties, more education, etc. and others insisting they have a right to self-determination and to set their own limits on the amount of risk they wish to take as individuals, more and more lives are lost to avalanches each winter.

Mr. Heed says that usually the clearest path of action is a balanced one and most backcountry experts agree. Education is vital, ensuring that those who venture into BC’s wilderness know what the risks are and have taken the necessary precautions to mitigate those risks. Awareness is key to improve backcountry safety for all users.

In 2009, the Province provided $150,000 to improve forecasting and public awareness of avalanche risk. The government also added signs on major highways coming into BC to encourage snowmobilers to call 1-800-667-1105 for the latest avalanche information and has pledged to continue to explore ways to increase awareness activities with stakeholder groups, including municipalities like Fernie, Revelstoke and Vancouver’s North Shore.

But … “government cannot do this alone”, said Mr. Heed. “There needs to be a shift in thinking and action, and it starts with the individual. It starts with informed accountability; not only for one’s personal safety, but for the safety of those around them and for those who may be called on to help in a rescue situation.

“It’s often forgotten that B.C.’s highly trained and skilled search and rescue members are a network of volunteers. They offer their time and expertise selflessly and as such, deserve our commitment to keeping them as safe as possible during a mission.”