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Avalanche at SilverStar injures skier, searchers to check slide for further victims

Click to play video: 'One person airlifted from site of avalanche on SilverStar Mountain'
One person airlifted from site of avalanche on SilverStar Mountain
One person airlifted from site of avalanche on SilverStar Mountain – Mar 20, 2019

UPDATE: Vernon Search and Rescue is searching an avalanche at SilverStar Mountain Resort to determine if anyone else was caught up in the slide.

SAR crews went in after an avalanche inspector wrapped up work at the site in the Putnam Creek area.

The avalanche took place on a double black diamond run on the Putnam Creek side of SilverStar Mountain Resort on Wednesday. Jeff Martin/ Global Okanagan

Searchers said there were no reports of missing persons on the mountain and their work is just precautionary.

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Vernon Search and Rescue await word before entering the avalanche zone at SilverStar Mountain Resort on Wednesday. Jeff Martin/ Global Okanagan

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A person was airlifted to hospital after an avalanche at SilverStar near Vernon, the ski resort announced on Wednesday.

The resort said the avalanche occurred around noon on a double black diamond run on Putnam Creek. The resort said warming temperatures played a role in the avalanche.

Later in the day, it’s believed a second avalanche forced the entire closure of the hill.

It’s believed two avalanches occurred at SilverStar Mountain Resort on Wednesday. One occurred on the backside, with this one occurring on the front side. Glenn Bond

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One male was involved in the first avalanche and was transported to hospital by B.C. Air Ambulance.

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The person’s injuries were not revealed.

The resort said its backside runs at Putnam Creek have been closed and will stay closed until further notice.

The resort called the first avalanche an isothermal avalanche.

According to various websites, such as avalanche.org, isothermal snow occurs when all layers of the snowpack are at the same temperature, typically at the freezing point. Such conditions occur in the spring, during warming temperatures after many cycles of melting and freezing.

SilverStar will be open on Thursday morning, but the Putnam Creek side will be closed as stability assessments continue.

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