Forest fires are a fuel-dependent threat. Shaped by the vagaries of wind and weather, sparked by lightning or careless campers, and a persistent threat to humans that live on the edge of wooded areas, tackling forest fires has lead humans to a proactive approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of those proactive options is burning the fuel first, either in a prescribed burn or as a way to stop a fire as it advances. And to do that burning, government agencies like the Department of the Interior are turning to drones. Drones releasing fireballs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The military applications appear just a quick iteration away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first unmanned aerial prescribed burners were developed by a team at the University of Nebraska to carry a load of the fire-ready balls, automatically pierce each and inject the glycol, and complete the drop,\u201d wrote Susie Cagle at The Guardian<\/a>. \u201cThat research turned into the Ignis system developed by Drones Amplified, a private company, in partnership with the Department of Interior. Over time, the dragons\u2019 payload has expanded to 13 lb of eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t