Student Article
How Science and Technology Help Prevent and Predict Wildfires
Wildfire (noun): A large fire that spreads quickly through forests or grasslands.
Drones (noun): Small flying machines controlled by a person or computer.
Predict (verb): To guess what will happen in the future.
Wildfires can be dangerous, but scientists are using new technology to stop them before they spread.
A new way to study fires
In Utah, scientists recently studied a big forest fire — but this one was planned! Helicopters and ground crews started the fire on purpose as part of a forest project. The goal was to make room for young trees that elk like to eat.
High-tech fire tools
The scientists used cool tools to watch the fire. Drones with special cameras flew over the flames. They took pictures and collected smoke samples. Laser scanners measured the height and speed of the fire. Computer models helped predict where the fire and smoke would go.
Predicting fire and smoke
The information they gathered will help firefighters in the future. By knowing how fires behave, experts can better protect people and homes. They can also tell communities when it’s safer to stay indoors during smoky weather.
Predicting fire and smoke
Wildfires are scary, but with science, we can learn how to control them and keep everyone safe.
© Hayley Bennett / Our Media
Wildfire (noun): A large fire that spreads quickly through forests or grasslands.
Drones (noun): Small flying machines controlled by a person or computer.
Predict (verb): To guess what will happen in the future.