Tragedy Strikes as Avalanche Claims One Life and Leaves Two Others Stranded in Idaho Backcountry

Mullan, Idaho - In a week marked by snow-related accidents across the West and Northwest, one person is presumed dead after an avalanche struck a backcountry area of Shoshone County, Idaho. The incident left three people stranded, with two individuals being found alive and the third still missing. The avalanche occurred near Stevens Peak, close to the Montana border, according to authorities.

The Shoshone County Sheriff's Office Patrol Capt. Seth Green informed CNN that rescue workers successfully located the two survivors near Steven's Peak. The individuals were contacted through a GPS device that allowed for texting. "We were able to coordinate with the two individuals, one of which reported having a broken arm," Green revealed. "And the third at the time was still in the vicinity of the avalanche." Despite challenging weather conditions, the rescuers managed to provide medical care to the survivors.

However, after gathering information from the survivors, authorities concluded that the third person is likely deceased at the site of the avalanche. Green stated, "Due to this information, we are not continuing our effort tonight due to the safety of everyone involved. We plan on doing a recovery mission tomorrow." The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and the US Air Force joined forces with the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office to assist in the rescue operation.

Shoshone County, located approximately three hours from Spokane, Washington, has been hit hard by snow-related incidents. On the same day, the Idaho Transportation Department reported that two vehicles were stuck in an avalanche on State Highway 21 in Boise. Fortunately, all occupants were safely rescued by first responders from Custer County and Boise County, as confirmed by the Boise County Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post.

Tragedy struck earlier in the week when a skier lost their life in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe, a popular ski resort in the Lake Tahoe area of California. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning and prompted an extensive search and rescue effort by multiple teams. The resort's vice president of mountain operations, Michael Gross, stated that the avalanche took place in an area that had just opened for the day and had undergone thorough "avalanche control assessments" and safety evaluations.

In the midst of these incidents, a search and rescue operation is currently underway in northern Idaho for three individuals who were caught in an avalanche. The avalanche occurred in the Stevens Peak area, and authorities are working diligently to locate the missing individuals. Windy conditions have posed challenges to the operation, but efforts are being made to deploy a helicopter to aid in the search.

The recent string of avalanches serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by winter weather conditions and the importance of taking necessary precautions when venturing into backcountry areas. The Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center has issued warnings about the heightened risk of avalanches triggered by human activity on steep terrain. As search and rescue teams continue their efforts, communities across the region remain on high alert, emphasizing the need for safety and preparedness in the face of unpredictable winter conditions.