April 4, 2024 |
Photo – Snowy Range – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Carbon County Sheriff has applied for a grant to create an avalanche forecasting station for the Snowy and Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges.
According to Wyoming law, every sheriff is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations in their respective counties. Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken has been pushing for better avalanche preparedness following the February 8th avalanche death of Saratoga council member Jacob Fluty.
At Tuesday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Bakken directed the board’s attention to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center website. The sheriff said the website provides up-to-date avalanche forecasting for the areas in and around the Bridger-Teton National Forest. However, Sheriff Bakken said the website lacks any information on the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains.
Sheriff Bakken said he has been working with the U.S. Forest Service to secure a Wyoming Department of Recreation grant to fund a level two avalanche forecasting center in Carbon County.
A level two forecasting center provides detailed snowpack analysis and localized danger ratings for a specific area. The sheriff said accurate avalanche predictions will help keep everyone safe in the mountains.
The grant will fund the avalanche forecasting center for three years.
Sheriff Bakken said he submitted the grant application on Monday. The sheriff said his application has received support from a variety of private and public entities. The Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains have a nationally recognized need for better avalanche forecasting, said Sheriff Bakken.
Sheriff Bakken said he asked for a $295,000 grant from the Wyoming Department of Recreation. The sheriff said the money will pay for equipment and two certified forecasters for three years. Sheriff Bakken said he thinks donations will help keep the project under budget.
Sheriff Bakken said the grant will not require the county to contribute any money toward the project.
Commission Chairwoman Sue Jones said she supports the sheriff’s plan to establish an avalanche forecasting center in Carbon County. Chairwoman Jones said the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains draw many tourists to our area and it’s important to keep them safe.
Sheriff Bakken thanked Discover Carbon County, formerly the Carbon County Visitor’s Council, and the Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative for bringing the grant to his attention. The sheriff didn’t specify when the grant recipients will be announced.
