Avalanche conditions worsen, remain high

Forest Service avalanche specialist Stan Bones issued a special backcountry avalanche warning on Feb. 26 for mountains in the Flathead and Kootenai national forests and Glacier National Park.

The avalanche danger was considered high on all steep, open slopes and gullies between 4,500 and 7,500 feet.

Travel in avalanche terrain was not recommended until the current snowpack has had time to settle and strengthen. Natural avalanches are considered likely to occur, and human-caused avalanches are considered very likely to occur.

The dangerous conditions are the result of wind moving snow around the mountains, rapidly cooling temperatures and deep new snowfall.