Colorado Avalanche Info. Center warns of continued danger after 4 recent deaths due to avalanches
DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) is warning Coloradans of continued avalanche danger after four people have died in avalanches since December 26.
There is more snow in the immediate forecast for the high country and the CAIC says avalanche danger remains high for at least the next week.
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“Dangerous avalanche conditions will last through the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend,” said Ethan Greene, Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.
According to the CAIC, early-season snowfall followed by heavy snow in December and early January has created dangerous avalanche conditions.
“We have seen more avalanches this year than we do on a typical year, and recently they’ve gotten much bigger,” added Greene. "We need everyone headed into the backcountry to plan their trip carefully and make sure they avoid avalanche hazards. We need to stop this deadly trend.”
The CAIC says they have recorded more than 870 avalanches since December 26 and there have been fatal avalanche accidents each of the last three weekends, killing four people.
The most important thing you can do before heading into the backcountry in the winter is to check the avalanche forecast. Look at the current avalanche conditions and plan backcountry travel accordingly. Go to www.colorado.gov/avalanche or get the Friends of CAIC’s mobile app.
For information on avalanche safety, visit the CAIC's education page.
