Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-022

Daily Brief

The PSEPC Daily Brief is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB06-022 - 1 February 2006

News

Winter storm hits P.E.I. and Nova Scotia
As of February 1, a fierce winter storm is moving through regions of P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. The storm, expected to dump up to 50 centimetres of snow, has forced the closure of schools businesses and government offices.

Most flights in and out of Halifax International Airport have been cancelled or delayed, and transit buses have been pulled off the roads. As well, Nova Scotia Power is reporting power outages in pockets around the province.

Snowplows in P.E.I. are staying in their yards due to blowing snow, ice-covered sections, poor visibility and some white-out conditions. Up to 15 centimetres is expected, with wind gusts of more than 90 km/h.

Newfoundland and the Labrador’s Grand Banks expect the storm to arrive later today.
(Source: cbc.ca, Environment Canada, 1 February 2006)
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PSEPC Geomatics provides a map (706 kb) of the affected areas.

Environment Canada issued blizzard and storm surge warnings for communities along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast and southeastern Cape Breton, as well as P.E.I.

Halifax International Airport provides information on flight cancellations and delays

Nova Scotia provides information on power outage restoration and storm preparation.

Wind warnings issued for west Vancouver Island
On February 1, Environment Canada issued a warning of damaging winds between 50 and 70 km/h for southern and west Vancouver Island. The winds are expected to gradually ease later in the day.
(Source: Environment Canada, 1 February 2006)
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Environment Canada provides weather warnings throughout the country.

Department of Homeland Security streamlines removal process along entire U.S.-Canadian border
On January 30, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) further extended the Expedited Removal (ER) process as part of the Secure Border Initiative (SBI), to include the entire U.S.-Canadian border and all U.S. coastal areas.
(Source: DHS.GOV, 30 January 2006)
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ER is the border management process used to swiftly return illegal aliens found in the U.S to their countries of origin while protecting those who fear persecution if returned to their country of origin.

The DHS provides more information on the Secure Border Initiative.

Ashfall advisory cancelled for the Alaskan western Kenai Peninsula
The U.S. National Weather Service Forecast Office cancelled the ashfall advisory for the Alaskan western Kenai Peninsula originally issued January 28. The advisory was sent out following the continuous eruption of the Augustine volcano.

The National Weather Service continues to monitor the situation and will issue further advisories if necessary. (Source: U.S. National Weather Service Forecast Office, 31 January 2006)
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PSEPC Geomatics provides a map (703 kb) of the affected areas.

According to Environment Canada, ashfall is currently localized in Alaska and there is no danger of any significant ashfall making its way to Canada.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory provides further information on the Augustine volcano activities.

In brief

Trans-Canada, Coquihalla reopens
Further to PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-021, on January 31, the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt reopened later in the day after snow was cleared.

As well, the Trans-Canada highway along the B.C.-Alberta border was reopened following an avalanche that blocked highway.
(Source: cbc.ca, 31 January 2006)
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PSEPC Geomatics provides a map (402 kb) of the affected areas.

B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation provides current information on road closures throughout the province in the Drive BC traveller information system.

Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has not detected any significant new threats or vulnerabilities.

CCIRC is continuing to track an e-mail worm known as BlackWorm/Nyxem/Blackmal/Blueworm/Grew, which is scheduled to delete certain file types on 3 February 2006. CCIRC strongly recommends that users ensure anti-virus products are up-to-date and use extra caution when choosing to open any e-mail messages or links.

No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as low. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

Recent cyber alerts and advisories issued by CCIRC can be viewed under “Recent analytical releases” at www.psepc.gc.ca/ccirc.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.

Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (NOC) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The NOC can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

Links to sites not under the control of the Government of Canada (GoC) are provided solely for the convenience of users. The GoC is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The GoC does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.

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