Avalanche Warning Services in Canada. “In the last decade, snow avalanches have killed more people...
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Transcript of Avalanche Warning Services in Canada. “In the last decade, snow avalanches have killed more people...
Avalanche Warning Services in Canada
““In the last decade, snow avalanchesIn the last decade, snow avalancheshave killed more people in Canada have killed more people in Canada than either floods, earthquakes, landthan either floods, earthquakes, landslides or lightning”slides or lightning”
Dr. Bruce Jamieson, Associate Professor, Dr. Bruce Jamieson, Associate Professor, Applied Snow and Avalanche ResearchApplied Snow and Avalanche ResearchProgram, University of CalgaryProgram, University of Calgary
% Change Over 2 Decades of Avalanche Accidents by Country
Source: International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR)
Differences Between Europe and Canada in Public Avalanche Safety Preparedness
High growth of recreational activities:
Cultural awareness of avalanches:
Organized public safety infrastructure:
Europe Canada
Avalanches in Canada are a coastal problem
Backcountry Skiers 59 43%
Snowmobilers 35 25%
Out of Bounds Skiers 11 8%
Other Recreation 17 12%
Non-Recreation 17 12%
Backcountry Skiers 59 43%
Snowmobilers 35 25%
Out of Bounds Skiers 11 8%
Other Recreation 17 12%
Non-Recreation 17 12%
Avalanche Accidents 1997-2007 by Activity (139)
Who is able to provide public avalanche
safety services?
• Governments
• Private industry
• Community effort (non-profit organizations and concerned members of the mountain community)
Scale comparison – Canada’s western cordillera vs. Slovakia
Canada – population density 3.7
Slovakia – population density 111
Unique Features of Canadian Avalanche Warning Services
• Information– Free, structured exchange of avalanche safety
information between stakeholders (competitors) InfoEx, OGRS and CAAML
– CAC (and others) compiles information into public warning products
• Education– Common curriculum developed and supported by the
Canadian Avalanche Centre– Third party delivery by licensed providers– Avalanche education designed to encourage good
decisions
Parks Canada Agency
North Shore Avalanche Advisory
Centre d’avalanche de la Haute-Gaspé
Alberta Parks and Protected Areas
Whistler-Blackcomb
Canadian Avalanche Centre
Canadian Avalanche Round Table
Agencies delivering public avalanche warnings in Canada
Recreational Avalanche Warning Services
Recreational Avalanche Warning Services
Whistler-Blackcomb
Association of Canadian Mountain Guides
Meteorological Service of Canada
Provincial Emergency Program BC
Parks Canada Agency Alpine Club
of Canada
Helicat Canada
North Shore Avalanche Advisory
Alberta Parks and Protected Areas
Centre d’avalanche de la Haute-Gaspé
Public Safety Canada
Canadian Avalanche Centre
CanadianAvalanche Round Table
Stakeholders in public avalanche safety in Canada
Avalanche Fatalities in Canada, 1996-97 to April 30, 2007
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
97-9
8
98-9
9
99-0
0
00-0
1
01-0
2
02-0
3
03-0
4
04-0
5
05-0
6
06-0
7
Fat
alit
ies
Backcountry skiers
Snowmobilers
Out of Bounds Skiers
Other Recreation
Non-Recreation
10 year running average
*One w inter season is defined as October 1 - September 30
Contribution of Each Activity Category to Total Fatalities 1997-2007-59 Backcountry Skiers - 42%-35 Snowmobilers - 25%-17 Other Recreation - 12%-11 Out of Bounds Skiers - 8%-17 Non-Recreation - 12%