Avalanche danger is present on Mount Jumbo, but there is no immediate danger to the urban Missoula area if the public cooperates and stays off the mountain, avalanche professionals from the West Central Montana Avalanche Center told the City of Missoula on Thursday afternoon.
Working cooperatively with the Missoula Fire Department and its drone program, the avalanche specialists found an unstable snowpack on the mountain’s west-facing slope above the city and observed that “the recipe for an avalanche is present” in the potential start zones. They encourage the public to observe the winter closures on the mountain, as winter closures reduce the chance of a human-triggered slide. The public can also help by reporting violations to 911. Warming temperatures this coming weekend will also reduce avalanche danger.
Avalanche Center specialists also inspected the slide paths on the East Missoula side of the mountain and found there is not enough snow to pose a threat.
The Avalanche Center works with the Missoula Fire Department under a cooperative agreement, in cooperation also with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
“We are being proactive,” said Fire Chief Jeff Brandt.
Most of Mount Jumbo is closed to public use during the winter. https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/206/Conservation-Lands-Closures
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center provides avalanche forecasting and education programs for backcountry user groups with the support of the nonprofit West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation. The Center publishes advisories and resources at https://missoulaavalanche.org.
Read the Thursday assessment here: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/Archive.aspx?ADID=15784