
"Avalanche Forecaster Fatally Caught in Oregon Snowslide"
Nick Burks, an experienced avalanche forecaster, died in an avalanche he triggered while skiing in eastern Oregon. His friend, who was skiing with him, was able to locate him quickly using a transceiver, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Burks had been part of the professional avalanche community for years and worked as an avalanche forecaster for the Wallowa Avalanche Center. The job of avalanche forecasters has become more difficult due to climate change and the increasing number of backcountry visitors. This incident adds to the 11 avalanche-related deaths in the U.S. this year.