This proclamation would raise public awareness of the hazards associated with avalanches, and of the opportunities to participate in avalanche safety training courses.
Every year there are deaths in Alaska due to avalanches.
This spring produced devastating avalanches along the Seward Highway and in Cordova, and saw a small slide within walking distance of downtown Juneau. On April 8 of this year, two more lives were lost to avalanches, one near Talkeetna, the other near the site of the Arctic Man competition, highlighting the need for avalanche awareness programs. The organization was formed by the families of avalanche victims who wanted to prevent more avalanche deaths.