Kitimat’s municipal seismologists are monitoring the situation closely, believing that the Rail Jam snow hill in Lower City Centre could be poised to erupt at any moment.

“We have all eyes on the hill after it began to billow smoke in the early hours,” says municipal seismologist Vern Colin. “We have an emergency plan in place if the situation escalates.”

The scientists noticed increased tectonic activity beneath the structure shortly before the appearance of smoke.

Emergency crews are hopeful a freak heatwave might melt the snow hill negating any further action.