Avalanche warning issued in B.C. Interior

The Canadian Avalanche Centre has issued a special avalanche warning over a wide stretch of theB.C. Interior,from northeast B.C. through the central interior to southeast B.C.

In arelease, spokesperson Karl Klassen said the avalanche danger in the area is high and "the risk of large destructive avalanches" is significant.

"The number of avalanches occurring naturally, without an obvious trigger, is starting to taper off," Klassen said.

"However, there are still several weak layers in the snowpack that can easily be triggered by the weight of a person on skis or snowmobile. Those avalanches will likely be much larger and more destructive than what we were seeing only a few days ago."

Klassen said warmer conditions are weakening the hard-packed snow in many areas.

"In a significant proportion of British Columbia, we have very serious concerns," he said.

"We're just asking people to be very, very cautious this weekend because of those sort of late and hidden hazards."

Klassen urged backcountry skiers and snowboarders to bring the proper equipment and check avalanche bulletins before heading out.

The warning remains in effect until Sunday.

There has been one avalanche death this season in B.C. Last season, the worst on record,19 people were killed in avalanches in the province.