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Avalanche centers operating in Montana prepare to pare down operations as USFS grapples with budget shortfall.
Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center Director Doug Chabot investigates a fatal avalanche in the Lionhead area outside of West Yellowstone on Feb. 6, 2022. Credit: Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center
A U.S. Forest Service budget shortfall appears likely to force some of the centers that produce the avalanche forecasts relied upon by Montana's backcountry skiers and snowmobilers to scale back their operations this winter.
The possibility has drawn concern from a coalition of recreation-oriented groups, which sent a letter earlier this month urging the agency to fully staff the 14 avalanche centers USFS administers across the nation, three of which serve portions of Montana. The group wrote that a reduction in avalanche forecasts would have "significant negative impacts to public safety."
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