Superior National Forest harnesses regional partners, drone technology to achieve extraordinary task
An operator pilots an unmanned aircraft to visually survey parcels included in the proposed land sale. The multi-forest survey team employed unmanned aircraft systems to inspect parcels difficult to access on foot. (USDA Forest Service photo by Barbara Thompson)
MINNESOTA — The Superior National Forest,…
#Drones, #SuperiorNationalForest
Drones help make fighting fires safer, cheaper, better throughout Rocky Mountain Region
UAS operator and crew discuss the plan for collecting aerial images for the Oak Ridge Fire using an Alta X UAS. (USDA Forest Service photo)
COLORADO — When some people hear the word drones, they think of the ones used to help get photos and measurements of their roof for a roof replacement, of the drone…
#Drones
Drones capture past, future of land management on White Mountain NF
Becky Huncilman in the Moat Mountain Range on the Saco Ranger District of the White Mountain National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Becky Huncilman.
NEW HAMPSHIRE—When Becky Huncilman started her journey to become an unmanned aerial system pilot, she was thinking about the future.“I wanted to jump on board before it really…
#Drones, #Technology, #Restoration, #Streams
Drones change the way forest fires are managed
A Freefly Alta X uncrewed aerial system on the National Forest and Grasslands in Texas, Davy Crockett National Forest, is used in a prescribed fire. USDA Forest Service photo by Greg Deimel.
TEXAS—Leaps in uncrewed aircraft systems, or drones, are changing the way fire is managed in…
#Drones, #FireManagement, #Technology
Higher, farther, faster: Drones allow pilots to evaluate forest conditions
Nicole Shugart with a Vision Aerial Switchblade m2.3, one of the drone models approved for use, at UAS training in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in September 2023. USDA Forest Service photo by Ryan Mungall.
WISCONSIN—For Nicole Shugart, the best part of her job is never knowing what she might see each day out in…
#Drones, #Forestry, #Forests, #Technology
Ping-pong balls and drones: Future of fire in the forest
Ping-pong balls to ignite prescribed fire can be used with drones larger than this Vision Aerial Switchblade Elite (Type 4). USDA Forest Service photo by Kaitlyn Tyler.
ARIZONA—Drier, hotter days create the perfect climate for wildfires to spread violently, rushing into neighboring…