The Daily Inter Lake

The three snowmobilers involved in Thursday's avalanche will be cited for illegally snowmobiling in Jewel Basin.

The three started their trek from the east side of the Swan Mountains, venturing deep inside the Jewel Basin Hiking Area, where snowmobiling is prohibited.

"We are very happy there was no fatality," said Denise Germann, public information officer for the Flathead National Forest.

But Ryan Roberts and the other two snowmobilers will be cited for snowmobiling in an area that has been off-limits to snowmobiles for the last 25 years.

"We plan to cite all three individuals," Germann said. The citations carry fines up to $5,000, jail terms up to six months, and the potential for the snowmobiles involved to be confiscated.

The Flathead Forest recently ramped up its surveillance and enforcement efforts for illegal snowmobiling after an aerial survey found snowmobile tracks inside the Jewel Basin and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.