Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-033

Daily Brief

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

DOB06-033 - 16 February 2006

News

Wind chill warnings issued for parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
On February 16, Environment Canada (EC) issued wind chill warnings for parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. Extreme winds are forecast for the morning of February 16 and are due to subside later in the day. EC indicates that temperatures of -35°C, combined with northerly winds, will generate wind chills of -45°C to -50°C.

EC indicated that an Arctic air mass bringing extreme wind chills might continue to dominate southern Saskatchewan and parts of B.C. for February 16 and until the morning of February 17.
(Source: Environment Canada, 16 February 2006)
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As a guideline, the average person's skin begins to freeze at a wind chill of -25 °C, and freezes in minutes at -35°C.

Environment Canada issues public weather warnings for the country.

Freezing rain warning for southern Ontario
On February 16, EC issued a freezing rain warning for southern Ontario. EC indicated that a storm originating from Colorado will intensify and move northeast towards the Great Lakes bringing freezing rain to the area.

The freezing rain will be preceded by a period of snow moving into southwestern parts of the province up to the Golden Horseshoe area.
(Source: Environment Canada, 16 February 2006)
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The Golden Horseshoe area is the area around the western end of Lake Ontario, mainly the south central region, consisting of such urban centres as Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Burlington, and Oshawa.

Environment Canada issues public weather warnings for the country.

In brief

Germany finds avian flu virus in three birds
On February 15, the Friedrich Loeffler Institute, which advises the German government on animal health issues, confirmed that the H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in two swans and one hawk.

The birds were found in separate, but nearby, areas of the northern end of the Ruegen Island in Baltic Sea.
(Source: Reuters AlertNet, 15 February 2006)
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Avian flu virus found in southern Russia
On February 15, media reports indicated that Russia's veterinary surveillance department reported that the H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in poultry in the northern province of Dagestan.

The case is the first in this region of Russia but the virus was found in several other Russian provinces last year.
(Source: Yahoo!news, 15 February 2006)
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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. 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.

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