As Congress has delayed finalizing the federal budget for fiscal year 2025, the Forest Service has constricted its employment of seasonal workers. Concerns were expressed by 42 groups, including regional guide services, that the agency’s decision could affect avalanche forecasting centers. Montana has three avalanche centers in western Montana: in the Flathead, Missoula and Bozeman. They are all staffed by seasonal employees but were protected from layoffs because they are considered permanent seasonal employees. Although staffed by forest officials, the centers get a lot of their funding from fundraisers and nonprofit friend groups. The centers are key to preventing avalanche deaths and warning snowmobilers and backcountry skiers and snowshoers about snow conditions. In southwest Montana, the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center has been important for reducing the number of deaths in the Cooke City area through its extensive education efforts as well as social media posts, avalanche fatality reports and forecasts. To learn more, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/montana-gallatin-national-forest-avalanche-center-forest-service/article_3ef007ec-873c-11ef-a388-8b348e53f210.html.

Written by Brett French | Outdoors Editor for Billings Gazette Communications