Avalanches are a constant threat in many mountainous regions, posing significant risks to both individuals and infrastructure. They occur frequently around the world, killing an estimated 150 people each year. Most avalanches happen on slopes with inclines between 30 and 45 degrees, though experts warn that any slope greater than 25 degrees is at risk. The majority of those trapped in avalanches are skiers, snowboarders, or others recreating on slopes. In Alaska, roughly 30% of the state faces constant avalanche threats, triggered by factors such as changes in precipitation levels, weakening snowpack, earthquakes, or both human and animal interference.

On March 24, 2022, residents of Alaska’s Eagle River neighborhood were cut off from the rest of the state for more than 10 days after what has been referred to as a 100-year-event avalanche. More than 30,000 cubic yards of snow had to be moved before roadways could reopen. No one was killed in that event. However, from the 2022 through the 2024 season, there were four avalanche-related fatalities in Alaska. Avalanche expert and founder of the Alaska Mountain Safety Center, Doug Fesler, thinks there is more that can be done to prevent these natural disasters.

He says that municipalities need to improve avalanche mitigation protocols. These mitigation steps include ordinances on where structures can be built, as well as steps to prevent avalanches from occurring. One way avalanches are prevented is through the triggering of smaller avalanches. It is a method similar to how a prescribed burn can mitigate wildfires by reducing the factors that could naturally result in the disaster. For a prescribed burn, firefighters set controllable fires in designated areas. For a prescribed avalanche, explosives are used to set off small avalanches in a controlled method.

With advancements in drone technology, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) and the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARCC) recently announced that they would be using drones for avalanche mitigation. The DOT&PF and ARCC contracted Drone Amplified to spearhead the avalanche mitigation project. Founded in 2017 by Carrick Detweiler out of Lincoln, NE, Drone Amplified is best known for the development of drones for wildfire management. Their system combines advanced geospatial programming with a drone that can safely ignite fires for prescribed burns. The enormous success of this system inspired the Drone Amplified team to extend capabilities to include avalanche control.

The first step is to use a drone to create a detailed map of the area in question. This map allows experts to identify specific areas of concern that present an avalanche risk. The drone map is further used to plot out the exact spots that need to be treated with a small explosive to trigger a planned avalanche. Next, a drone is loaded with a small explosive and flown out to the pre-programmed coordinates. While the drone’s pilot and all parties involved are safely out of harm’s way, the explosive is dropped from the drone.

The DOT&PF, ARCC, and Drone Amplified began testing the drone avalanche mitigation system in January of 2024 to prepare for the 2025 season. “This demonstration represents a significant step forward in avalanche risk reduction for our public highways,” said Timothy Glassett, DOT&PF Avalanche and Artillery Program Manager. “The State of Alaska is moving away from military artillery as a primary means of avalanche mitigation and will adopt Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS). UAS will help fill the gap where RACS are not feasible or economical.”

To ensure that the drone system can be appropriately used for Alaska’s avalanche mitigation protocols, the DOT&PF also said that they will be collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expedite all necessary waivers. They hope that this will open opportunities for other states under the FAA’s jurisdiction to utilize this revolutionary technology. As technology continues to evolve, the integration of drones into avalanche mitigation efforts marks a promising step forward in reducing risks and enhancing public safety. By combining innovative methods like remote-controlled explosions with the precision of aerial mapping, Alaska and Drone Amplified are setting new standards for avalanche management. With collaboration between state agencies and technological pioneers, other regions at risk may soon benefit from these advancements, offering a safer future for communities in avalanche-prone areas.

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