Satellite images may help decide where to thin forests

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) Research into the best ways to reduce the intensity and spread of forest fires in the Black Hills is being done at South Dakota State University.

Mark Cochran is directing the project.

He says satellite images are being used to study areas before and after fires.

The research may provide insight into preventive measures, such as tree thinning and tinder cleanup.

But Cochran says the wild card in wildfires is always the weather.

No matter how well a forest is managed, he says extremely dry conditions and high winds will cause major fires.

The research project will be finished in 2 years.

(Thanks Charles Michael Ray, SDPB) (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-14-08 0641CST | save this article / add to your favorites list