Alaska Power Company Triggers Small Avalanches To Limit Larger Ones

There’s still plenty of snow on the mountains in Juneau, Alaska, even though it's spring. Avalanches caused by melting snow pose major risks to transmission lines, which bring electricity to the city from a hydroelectric dam dozens of miles away.

So Alaska Electric Light and Power Company uses helicopters to trigger smaller slides that prevent more destructive avalanches. KTOO's Jacob Resneck (@jacobresneck) went along for the ride to find out how it works.