To restore the grasslands of the Great Plains, a Nebraska ecologist says, bring back high intensity fires

This is a UAS prototype for fire ignitions, from figure 4 of Twidwell D et al (2016) Front Ecol Environ 14(6): 333-339. Credit: ESA – https://images.sciencedaily.com/2016/08/160801165014_1_540x360.jpg

Restoring prairie and fighting wildfire with (drone launched) fire(balls)

Source: Ecological Society of America

Summary:

One ecologist wants to change the way we think about prescribed burns. The professor says he can harness extreme fire to restore grasslands on the Great Plains — and he has created a small drone that launches ping-pong balls of fire to help him do it safely and cheaply.

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