Avalanche

The Missoula Police Department has confirmed that Michel Jo Colville has died as a result of injuries received in Friday afternoon's avalanche.

The avalanche that rumbled down Mount Jumbo late Friday afternoon was set up by bands of heavy snow, followed by warm temperatures, more snow, and strong winds.

Missoula County Search and Rescue Coordinator Jeremiah Peterson hasn't slept since Thursday night.

UPDATE - Missoula Police Department Public Information Officer Travis Welsh issued a press release at about 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1. Avalanche Update; Saturday March 1, 2014 As of 2:00AM this morning, emergency crews have cleared from the scene of the avalanche. Power lines have been secured, and the gas lines have been capped. There is no information currently available regarding the medic

Recent heavy snowfall has pushed western Montana's avalanche alert level to stage three or "considerable."

On slopes above 6000 feet in elevation and steeper than 35 degrees there is CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER in the West Central Montana backcountry. The instability in the upper snowpack from last week’s storm has gained strength; but old, persistent, weak layers in the snowpack still exist...

A dog that was feared dead after a weekend avalanche killed its owner showed up exhausted and hungry four days later at the Montana motel where its owners had stayed before going skiing.