Alpine resorts’ snowmaking equipment may be put to work fighting summer forest fires
ADELBODEN, Switzerland (AP) — There’s barely any snow in sight above Adelboden in the intense August sunshine, never mind skiers. But the Swiss resort may have a new way to put its snowmaking equipment to…
In the sweltering summer heat of Adelboden, Switzerland, the snow-covered slopes of the Adelboden-Lenk ski resort have transformed into a potential firefighting tool. With the Alps facing rapid glacial retreat and decreasing snowfall due to climate change, artificial snowmaking has become a crucial aspect of the ski area's operations.
Adelboden-Lenk, spanning an altitude of 1,000 to 2,300 meters, relies on approximately 70% artificially generated snow. Snow cannons and lances, along with hidden water pipes, form the backbone of the resort's snowmaking network. However, the infrastructure that supports the snowmaking process holds promise beyond the winter months.
Jürg Klopfenstein, who oversees the resort's snowmaking operations, explains that the system can aid firefighters. The water reservoirs, which collect rainfall and melt snow during summer, can be accessed by helicopters to replenish their tanks. Additionally, the pipes and pumps could be utilized to create wet buffer areas, slowing the spread of wildfires and providing valuable time for emergency services to arrive.
While no major wildfires have occurred in Switzerland this year, the country grapples with high wildfire risks across vast areas, including the Bern region where Adelboden-Lenk resides.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
