Drones show replacing firework displays in some cities
Drones are used in or in place of fireworks in some cities, providing viewers something new and addressing environmental concerns.
Oregon’s historic wooden summit is on fire, and investigators are trying to understand how it happened.
Doerner Fir is a Douglas FIR tree, believed to be about 450 years old and 325 feet tall, which started a fire since August 17th, and USA Today confirmed that the treetop was still burning on August 20th, even if firefighters were trying to extinguish the flames contained in one tree.
The trees are located in a wooded area near Cokir, Oregon, according to Brett Weidemiller, assistant unit forester for the Coos Forest Protective Association. Weidemiller said crews are working with helicopters, drones and ground-level sprinklers to preserve the wood and prevent fire from spreading.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but Weidemiller said investigators are eliminating lightning bolts as a possible.
“There are tracking mechanisms and era stamps to track lightning in that area,” he said. “There were no signs of lightning in the area at the time (a fire ignited).”
The 11.5 feet diameter tree is one of the tallest non-red trees in the world, but it loses about 50 to 70 feet from above, Widemiller said. He added that falling limbs and branches are dangerous, so firefighters cannot approach the tree.
Doerner FIR is located in mountains around 50 miles of coastal range from Coos Bay, with trails and recreational areas that attract visitors year-round to hike through the old growing forests. The trail leading to the Doerner FIR is closed indefinitely due to a fire.
Contributor: Mariah Johnston, Journal of Salem Politicians
