Rescue teams in Tahoe, California, are considering the use of controlled explosives to trigger additional avalanches after at least eight skiers were killed earlier this week.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has been unable to recover the bodies since Tuesday’s tragic avalanche due to dangerous conditions on the mountain. Persistent bad weather and the risk of further slides have made rescue operations extremely risky.
Officials said teams will conduct aerial surveys over the avalanche site in the Castle Peak area to assess snowpack stability and overall safety conditions.
“The objective of the aerial surveys is to visually assess the conditions of the avalanche scene and snowpack as well as to make determinations if controlled avalanche mitigation may be possible at some point. Controlled avalanche mitigation consists of pre-planned explosive deployment to intentionally release unstable snowpack," the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities explained that such measures are intended to prevent sudden natural avalanches and improve safety for first responders working in the affected area.
“These proactive measures are designed to reduce the risk of naturally occurring avalanches and enhance first responder safety within the affected area, so they may recover victims with lower risk," the statement added.
Eight skiers have been confirmed dead, and at least one more person remains missing and is presumed dead. Officials said public notice will be given if explosives are deployed.
The Tahoe National Forest has closed the Castle Peak area from February 20 to March 15 as a safety precaution while recovery efforts continue.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
