Avalanche

This morning loud booms could be heard in the Douglas/downtown area.  Once I ascertained that we were not being bombed :), I remembered someone had told me that sometimes avalanches are shot down on purpose so they will not fall by themselves.  This happens on the road south of downtown toward Thane.  I did not see the avalanche fall, but when I took the dogs to sandy beach around noon, I took a picture of what I think was the aftermath.

Looking across from Sandy Beach, avalanche snow at the bottom middle.

Here's a story from the Juneau Empire - I will keep looking to see if anyone posts a video.

http://juneauempire.com/local/2012-01-02/avalanche-control-shuts-down-thane-road

And from KINY radio:

DOT Conducting Avalanche Control on Thane Road
The Alaska Department of Transportation will be conducting avalanche control operations on Thane Road this morning.

The control activities are scheduled from 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

With record breaking snowfall this past November and several passing winter storms, the threat of avalanches is a top priority for the Alaska DOT.

DOT will be on site with a road crew.

Avalanches have closed Thane road many times in years past. The ongoing avalanche control program is aimed at triggering smaller slides so large ones don't develop