February 28, 2024 |
Photo – CCSO Deputies pose with new used snowmobiles – Courtesy Sheriff Bakken’s Facebook
The Carbon County Sheriff talked about the usefulness of his department’s new snowmobiles.
In December of last year, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners approved Sheriff Alex Bakken’s request to spend roughly $20,000 on two used snowmobiles.
Speaking to the board on December 6th, Sheriff Bakken said the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Mountains attract many outdoor enthusiasts to our area. The sheriff said Carbon County is one of the most popular snowmobiling destinations in the west.
The board approved the sheriff’s request. Two like-new used snowmobiles were delivered to the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office just before Christmas.
During the February 20th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Bakken said the snow machines were recently used in a tragic search and rescue operation.
Sheriff Bakken is referring to the February 9th avalanche that took the life of Saratoga Councilman Jacob Fluty. Councilman Fluty and a friend were snowmobiling in an area of the Sierra Madre Mountains known as “Avalanche Alley” when a two-to-eight-foot-tall wall of snow overtook Fluty. His riding partner was unharmed and called for help. Fluty was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff Bakken said the search for Fluty was one of the most challenging operations he has ever participated in. The sheriff thanked everyone who assisted with the search, as well as the commissioners who approved the purchase of the two snowmobiles.
A month before the avalanche that tragically took Councilman Fluty’s life, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Department teamed up with the United States Forest Service to hold a mountain snowmobile training class. Sheriff Bakken said the arduous riding class was eye-opening for less experienced deputies.
On February 21st, the sheriff’s department once again partnered with the US Forest Service to hold another mountain snowmobile training class. In a written statement about the event, Sheriff Bakken said, “In light of the recent avalanche activity, it’s imperative that our deputies are trained in safe backcountry snowmobile operation and basic avalanche safety. Not only does this training help our deputies safely operate snowmobiles, but it also gives them an idea of what our search and rescue team members encounter on backcountry searches.”
Sheriff Bakken encouraged everyone to check avalanche conditions on the Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange website before heading into the backcountry of Carbon County. A link to the website will be included with the story when it is posted to Bigfoot99.com later today.
Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange website: https://ewyoavalanche.org/?fbclid=IwAR0AaV3drwvF10I0T3zXMuntvJ8YAMT4FfoJDlLqOI8PY5jN5reUDcPUfvk#/view/observations
