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New technology propels efforts to fight Western wildfires

Western Wildfires Early Intervention
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters are trying to become smarter in how they prepare for the drought- and wind-driven wildfires that have become more dangerous across the American West in recent years.

They're using new technology and better positioning of resources in a bid to keep small blazes from erupting into mega-fires like the nation's biggest wildfire that has charred a section of Oregon half the size of Rhode Island.

Catching fires more quickly gives firefighters a better chance of keeping them small. That includes using new fire behavior computer modeling that can help assess risks before fires start, then project their path and growth.