When I read in the LA Times that 19 firefighters died in Arizona my first thought was to the families and their lost. Second thought where's the fire technology? The fire had spread more than 8,400 acres and destroyed approximate 200 buildings and about 280 firefighters were struggling to contain the fire.
One technology used by a firefighter is a fire shelter which were distributed in 2003 by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) . All firefighters are required to carry this is tent foiled-covered structure. The USFS latest version is the outside layer is made of high-temperature resistant silica cloth and inside is made of lightweight fiberglass scrim cloth. Both layers are laminated to aluminum foil which is a reflector of radiant heat.
At a press conference on Monday, Tony Petrilli, Project Leader for the USFS Technology Program stated "The current fire shelters work really well against radiant heat but challenged if they come into contact with direct flames. Because flames break down the glue quicker in a radiant environment," Petrilli added. " And when you lose the aluminum foil as your barrier, it's easier for the heat to enter into the fire shelter." USFS is testing the next generation of the fire shelter model with an improved glue that can withstand direct flames. As a last resort, a fire shelter is used by a firefighter who digs into the ground, deploy the shelter and then hope it keeps them safe until the fire has passed.
Another developing fire technology computer models which simulate how wind moves across the landscape. Wildfires occur during extreme fire weather when conditions are hot, dry and windy. Max Moritz , who runs a fire-research lab at the University of California, Berkeley said, "The technology is improving to the point where we can actually model fairly fine-scale wind patterns."
Drones is another technology to help suppress wildfire per Thomas Bewley . Drones are unmanned vehicle and can be useful for fighting fires at night said Bewley. Aerial surveillance by piloted airplanes and helicopters currently do the monitoring of fires. However is some areas, safety regulations forbid manned aircraft from coming into an area at night. So drones which have been proven in warfare Bewely explains is a better alternative. Drones are expensive $100,000 per machine Bewley states " You have to bring these machines down to ten-of-thousands-of-dollars per machines." Also to be fully helpful to the firefighter the drones must be able to fly and work alongside manned aircraft. Bewley believes firefighting will remain a human endeavor.
It has been reported all 19 of the firefighters in Yarnell had deployed their fire shelters but none survived and investigation is still underway to determine if the deaths had anything to do with the fire shelters themselves.
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/nineteen-firefighters-died-arizona-where-is-the-fire-technology?cid=roadrunner