Podcast Summary

Priorities Podcast – StateScoop

Episode: The technologies modernizing Alaska's avalanche management
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Sofia Foxo (A)
Guest: Timothy Glassett (B), Statewide Avalanche and Artillery Program Manager, Alaska Department of Transportation

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the innovative technologies transforming how Alaska manages avalanche risks across its vast and rugged landscape. Focusing on the adoption of drones and advanced remote avalanche control systems, the conversation with Timothy Glassett details how the state is modernizing both its emergency response and mitigation procedures, with an eye toward moving away from nearly century-old military artillery in favor of high-tech, mobile, and safer tools.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Alaska’s Avalanche Risk

• Scale & Diversity: Alaska experiences every conceivable type of avalanche due to its immense size and topographical variety—from high arctic regions to wet, coastal zones.
  • “Alaska is so big that we get every type of avalanche imaginable. Unlike the lower 48, the other US DOTs, we have the only high arctic avalanche area in the United States...” (B, 02:58)
• Real-world Impact: Even Alaska’s capital, Juneau, faces serious evacuations due to avalanche threats. (02:58)

2. Causes & Types of Avalanches

• Technical Breakdown: Timothy explains slab avalanches as the most destructive, requiring steep terrain, reactive snow, and contributing weather factors.
  • “You need significant terrain steep enough to slide. You need snow on the ground, and you need snow that is reactive to sliding...” (B, 04:07)
• Risk Mitigation: The state employs both permanent infrastructure (e.g., snow sheds) and temporary measures like road closures and explosive mitigation, often leveraging various delivery methods—from helicopters to artillery. (04:07–05:40)

3. Explosive Mitigation as ‘Controlled’ Avalanches

• Analogy to Wildfire Practices: Comparing explosive avalanche mitigation to controlled burns, Timothy clarifies that while “control” is aspirational, the focus is safe risk reduction.
  • “We try not to use the word control because we can't really control nature, but we do our best to mitigate the avalanche risk...” (B, 06:09)

4. Mapping, Coverage & Prioritization

• Data-Driven Ranking: Alaska uses the Avalanche Hazard Index to prioritize risky areas and deploy resources efficiently.
  • “We commissioned a study to really look at our avalanche risk and define it in terms of the avalanche hazard index...” (B, 07:15)
• Staff Mobility: Personnel are shifted as needed based on live risk assessments. (07:15)

5. Emergence of New Technology

• Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS or “racks”):
  • Common elsewhere (like California/Europe), these systems aren’t yet installed in Alaska, but the state is actively integrating them. (08:41)
• Drones as Mobile Mitigation Platforms:
  • Alaska leads North America in drone deployment for avalanche mitigation.
  • Drones are invaluable in areas where installing permanent infrastructure isn’t feasible due to cost or rarity of events.
  • “No one else in the United States or North America has permission to use drones for avalanche mitigation.” (B, 09:41)

6. Drones in Emergency Response

• Reduces Human Risk: Drones provide fast aerial surveys, minimizing first responders’ exposure.
  • “We use it so we don’t have to expose employees to a risk... It really helps with that emergency response.” (B, 11:19)
• Supports Search & Rescue: Equipped with thermal imaging, drones can rapidly identify heat signatures of trapped individuals or vehicles after an avalanche.
  • “You can fly out to it, not expose yourself. You can throw on thermal, search that area for any heat signatures...” (B, 13:08)
• Facilitates Mapping & Recovery: After events, drones map debris, informing the size and type of equipment needed for clearances and repairs. (14:09)
  • “They become a daily tool for us when we need to fly and get that aerial perspective...” (B, 15:11)

7. Transition Away from Military Artillery

• Aging Arsenal: Current systems, like the M101a1 105mm howitzer, are nearly a century old, leading to maintenance, parts, and staffing challenges.
  • “This model that we’re using was designed and built in 1928. It started seeing service in 1945...” (B, 15:54)
• Phasing Out: Transition is driven by both safety (risk of Army-issued stop orders) and policy directives as newer, commercial solutions become viable.
  • “As soon as commercially available products become available, you need to start transitioning...” (B, 16:25)

8. Safety, Privacy, and Airspace Management

• FAA Authorization: The state operates under Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during drone operations, ensuring exclusive airspace for safety.
  • “As part of those agreements, we own the airspace through a temporary flight restriction...” (B, 19:16)
• Area Closures: Public spaces, roadways, and trails are closed during mitigation operations for maximal safety. (19:16)

9. The Future: Sensors, Infrasound, and Automation

• Emerging Tech: Alaska is moving towards integrating infrasound and Doppler radar detection, automating road closures and warning systems.
  • “We are bringing on technology that can detect avalanches via infrasound or Doppler radar... directly sending a signal to warning lights or closure gates.” (B, 20:39)
• Game-Changer: The goal is near-total risk reduction for the public, funded by federal highway grants and “Smart Technologies” initiatives. (20:39)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Alaska's unique risk profile:
  “Alaska is so big that we get every type of avalanche imaginable.” (B, 02:58)
• On controlled avalanches:
  “We can't really control nature, but we do our best to mitigate the avalanche risk.” (B, 06:09)
• On drone leadership:
  “No one else in the United States or North America has permission to use drones for avalanche mitigation.” (B, 09:41)
• On retiring old artillery systems:
  “This model that we’re using was designed and built in 1928. It started seeing service in 1945.” (B, 15:54)
• On future technology:
  “It’s going to be a game changer as we bring this technology on and how we integrate it and push it out through the state.” (B, 20:39)

Key Timestamps

• [02:58] – Alaska’s avalanche frequency, impact on the capital
• [04:07] – Avalanche causes and types explained
• [05:40] – Methods of mitigation and use of explosives
• [07:15] – Risk assessment with the Avalanche Hazard Index
• [08:41] – Intro to racks (remote avalanche control systems); drone leadership
• [09:41] – Why drones are critical for Alaska’s geography
• [11:19] – Drones enhance emergency response and safety
• [13:08] – Drones in search and rescue operations
• [14:09] – Drone mapping aids in disaster recovery
• [15:54] – Transitioning away from military artillery
• [19:16] – Airspace and privacy management during drone operations
• [20:39] – The future: automated, sensor-driven avalanche warning and response systems

Summary

Alaska’s Department of Transportation is redefining avalanche management with cutting-edge tools like drones, remote sensors, and plans to automate risk warnings. From phasing out antique military artillery to using technology that can literally “see” avalanches before the public is endangered, Alaska stands at the forefront of modern, mobile emergency management—proving that in one of the most challenging environments in the country, innovation can be a life-saving asset.