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Following the three avalanche fatalities in southeast B.C. this week, the Interior Health Authority is warning people to be extremely cautious in the backcountry.

The health authority says there continues to be a high and considerable avalanche danger in many areas of the B.C Interior, the authority says in a media release issued today, March 3.

"Being caught in an avalanche is a life-threatening situation that has already claimed twelve lives in the Interior Health region this season," Interior Health medical health officer Dr. Fatemeh Sabet said in the release. "Avalanche Canada continues to forecast a dangerous snowpack. There have been more than double the number of avalanche fatalities compared to the previous season."

READ MORE: Three men killed in southeast B.C. avalanche were from Germany: news agency

The health authority is urging anyone thinking about venturing into the backcountry to make conservative choices, avoid dangerous terrain and consider delaying a backcountry trip until conditions are safer.

Avalanche Canada says it's monitoring a deep, persistent slab avalanche problem in many areas across the B.C. Interior. This is causing very dangerous and highly unpredictable avalanche conditions.

"We are dealing with a complex and very tricky snowpack. A widespread weak layer exists near the base of the snowpack throughout the Interior and it’s been the cause of most of the fatal avalanche incidents this season," Avalanche Canada forecaster Ryan Buhler said in the release. "This layer is deep enough that we are unlikely to see clues of instability, like nearby avalanche activity, ‘whumpfing’ or cracking snow.

"The only way to minimize exposure is to select low-angle, low-consequence terrain and avoid areas where an avalanche could propagate widely. It’s likely that this widespread weak layer will persist for the remainder of the season."

Forecasted sunny weather will also make the snowpack more unstable.

Avalanche Canada says that sunny weather can create a false sense of security and lure people out into avalanche terrain.

"Even 30 minutes of sun can have a significant impact on the snowpack at this time of year," the release says.

Avalanche Canada asks people venturing into the backcountry to exercise extreme caution and make conservative, low-consequence choices if they decide to travel in avalanche terrain. They should also carry a transceiver, probe and shovel, and know how to use use them.

The release says that dangerous avalanche conditions are likely to last for the remainder of the season.

READ MORE: 'Saddest day ever' after three avalanche deaths in B.C.: heliski operator

For more information and current conditions go to the Avalanche Canada website here.

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