Avalanche Danger Is High After 5 Deaths In Washington

WASHINGTON -- Deaths caused by avalanches have jumped this year after Washington recorded five deaths. Just last weekend, two people, including a police officer, died from an avalanche about 20 miles outside of Cle Elum.

The Seattle Times reported the state "averages five avalanche deaths every two years," but five people have been killed in recent days.

Two Bellevue teenagers died Feb. 26 while snowshoeing in the Cascades. During that same weekend, an Issaquah man died while snowmobiling near the Crystal Springs Sno-Park. Last Saturday, two snowmobilers died near Cle Elum. One of the victims was James Larsen, a Bonney Lake police officer.

Kittitas County Undersheriff Clay Myers told the Seattle Times he isn't sure adventuring to the mountains is worth the risk as the avalanche danger remains high in the state. His warning comes as "forecasts say the threat is at a level where human-triggered avalanches are considered 'likely,'" the newspaper reported.

For anyone willing to take the risk, "Mountaineers are encouraged to carry a transreceiver so they can be found if covered by snow, a shovel to dig other people out and a probe to locate others covered in snow," the Seattle Times reported.

--Photo via Shutterstock

Also See:

2 Bellevue Teens Die In Cascades Avalanche

Bonney Lake Police Officer Dies In Avalanche Near Cle Elum