Winter months bring extreme and unpredictable weather in the Pacific Northwest. BNSF has the tools, training and resources, including our avalanche safety program, to safely and reliably respond. Avalanche forecasters are utilized throughout a mountainous, avalanche-prone section in Glacier National Park near Essex, Montana.
When pre-emptive actions are necessary, the Daisybell, an environmentally-sensitive technology device purchased by BNSF, is employed. By igniting a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, the tool creates a concussion wave that causes a controlled slide. Proactive and effective avalanche safety helps BNSF keep tracks clear and trains safely moving people and freight to their journey’s end.