BoltWX provides access to the 3-day Avalanche Canada public forecast for when access through the offical forecast channels is unavailable. You should always check the official Avalanche Canada forecast before you enter the backcountry. You agree to use the BoltWX forecast at your own risk! (see the BoltWX terms and conditions for our disclaimer about avalanche forecasts). Avalanche forecasts are only available in winter.

To receive an avalanche forecast, include the phrase "AVYCAN" in your message. For example, your message should read: AVYCAN #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345)

Below is an example of a typical BoltWX avalanche forecast with the translation below it. The forecasts include both the Danger Ratings and the Snowpack Problems. Download the BoltWX Avalanche Message Translation Reference Sheet here (JPEG image format) and save it on your phone to refer to in the backcountry. Terminology used in the forecasts is the same as Avalanche Canada terminology. See the Avalanche Canada glossary here for more information.

(Currently only available in British Columbia, Canada)

BoltWX provides access to information about active wildfires near your GPS location for when access through official channels is unavailable. You should always check the official wildfire warning website for your area before you enter the backcountry.

Wildfire information is currently available for active wildfires in British Columbia using data from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS). BoltWX is not endorsed by the BC Wildfire Service. Wildfires move quickly and data may not represent the current situation on the ground. You agree to use the information about wildfires provided by BoltWX at your own risk. See the BoltWX terms and conditions for our disclaimer about wildfire information, which you agree to as a condition of using the service.

To receive information about nearby fires, include the phrase “FIRE” in your message. For example, your message should read: FIRE #ACCESSCODE# (50.12135, -111.12345)

Wildfire messages return information for wildfires within 30km of your GPS location. Note that wildfire messages are not constrained to a single SMS message and will list all fires found. Below is an example of a typical BoltWX wildfire message with the translation below it. Messages use fire terminology defined by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre glossary here (PDF file).

There are three error messages you might see:

• No GPS location detected: The message you sent to BoltWX did not include GPS coordinates in the decimal degrees latitude/longtitude format. For example, coordinates should be sent as (44.81637, -64.33601). This format is the default on InReach® and ZOLEO® devices. You may need to wait for your device's GPS to establish its location before sending the message.
  
  Solution: Check that your satellite device is set to include GPS coordinates in SMS messages (this function is disabled by default on InReach devices). See step #2 of the Quickstart Guide. You may also need to wait for your device's GPS to establish its location before sending the message.
• No access code detected: A valid subscriber code was not found in the message you sent. To use BoltWX, subscribe to the service to receive an access code. Make sure that code in the message is contained between two hashes, for example #User123# This code must be included in messages sent to the BoltWX service to validate your subscription.
  
  Solution: Make sure that you are entering your access code in the message, and that it is contained between two hashes, for example #User123#. Double check your access code by logging into your BoltWX account.
• Message limit reached: To prevent spam from bots, BoltWX limits each user to 5 messages per hour and then stops replying.
  
  Solution: Wait one hour for the block to be lifted, at which point normal service will resume.