Chugach National Forest avalanche forecasts suspended due to COVID-19

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center suspended backcountry avalanche forecasts and field operations Monday amid heightened health mandates related to COVID-19.

The center urged skiers, snowboarders and snowmachiners to avoid high-risk activities in an online statement Monday as search-and-rescue resources may be limited.

“We understand the draw of the mountains, the need to be outside, to recreate, and to enjoy the Alaskan backcountry during these uncertain times,” a statement from the forest service said. “The Chugach National Forest asks the public to please recreate responsibly. Search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues.”

The center urged the public to follow social distancing and intrastate travel mandates, which limit nonessential travel between communities in Alaska.

[Read the full in-state travel order for Alaskans]

The organization said it will continue to record weather and avalanche information on its website.

There were 114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon and three Alaskans have died from the virus.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that search-and-rescue operations may be limited more generally, and not as a direct result of the avalanche center’s decision.