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VICTORIA – Learning
about avalanche safety and risks can save your life, said John Les, Minister of
Public Safety and Solicitor General, in recognizing Avalanche Awareness Days
(Jan. 12-14, 2007).
Over the past decade in Canada, an average of 15
people have been killed and 75 injured by avalanches each year. There were
seven avalanche related deaths in British Columbia in 2005.
“It’s
a very simple message that I want all outdoor enthusiasts to understand,” added
Les. “British Columbia is a fantastic place to play and be healthy, but
everyone should be properly prepared before they go outdoors.
“Unfortunately, we have already had
a tragic fatality this year near Hazelton due to an avalanche. My hope is that
we can avoid any further incidents.”
Avalanche
Awareness Days will take place this weekend at ski hills throughout B.C.
including the North Shore, where AdventureSmart teams will participate in
avalanche safety demonstrations, and winter outdoor safety clinics at Grouse
Mountain.
An
AdventureSmart team will also take part in the Avalanche Awareness Days
activities at Sun Peaks Ski Resort in Kamloops. The teams are part of the
AdventureSmart program, which is managed by the Provincial Emergency Program
(PEP) in partnership with the B.C. Search and Rescue Association and the
National Search and Rescue Secretariat. AdventureSmart provides a broad range
of programs that encourage the safe participation in outdoor activities.
Following a review in 2003, the B.C. government
announced funding of $125,000 annually in support of the new Canadian Avalanche
Centre, which resulted in subsequent funding from Parks Canada, the
Meteorological Service of Canada, Province of Alberta and others. PEP works
closely with the Canadian Avalanche Centre and the Canadian Avalanche
Foundation in promoting safety programs.
“British Columbia’s resorts and
back-country are getting lots of snow this year,” said Les. “The conditions are
great, but people should always check weather and avalanche conditions, obey
out-of-bounds signs and make sure they have all the right equipment.”
For more information on Avalanche Awareness Days
and other outdoor safety information, check the following websites: www.adventuresmart.ca,
www.pep.bc.ca,
and www.avalanche.ca
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Communications Manager Provincial Emergency Program 1 800 663-3456 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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