I have worried for years that terrorists would figure out they could wreak havoc with a score or more individuals starting wildland fires. You can hike completely out of sight in minutes in many places, drop a delayed fuse (simple to make, obviously) and be gone before it ignites.
I wonder how they caught these terrible people and I hope they throw the book at them.
Jihadi online magazines already gave instructions to terrorists to start fires in the US, with details. Many of California’s horrible fires have been arson over the years.
Several years ago, I recall reading a report about arson in New South Wales forests, caused by a volatile substance and a catalyst injected into ping pong balls, thrown from vehicles, which caused forest fires. By the time the devices ignited, the perps were long gone. I would be very interested in the background of the so-called 200 who have been supposedly apprehended throughout Australia since September 2019, though I doubt we will ever know, what percentage were ‘of middle eastern appearance...’
Mustn’t upset the fanatics who follow ISIS instruction, must we?
ISIS CAN READ. HERE’S THE RECEIPE:
https://www.tweentribune.com/article/junior/researchers-use-drones-control-fires/
Researchers use drones to control fires A drone designed to ignite controlled grass fires comes in for a landing in a field at the Homestead Monument of America in Beatrice, Neb., on Friday, April 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Grant Schulte)
Researchers use drones to control fires
By Grant Schulte Associated Press
May 06, 2016
Researchers in Nebraska have tested a new tool. They are using drones. They could eventually help in fighting grass fires.
A team from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln flew an unmanned aircraft over the prairie at the Homestead National Monument of America. It dropped ping pong-like balls. They were filled with a chemical mixture. It ignited brush-clearing grass fires.
Local and federal officials are interested in the technology. It could help clear overgrown vegetation in rugged, hard-to-reach terrain, said Michael Johnson. He is a spokesman for the National Park Service.
The balls are filled with a chemical powder, potassium permanganate. Then they are loaded into the drone. During flight, the aircraft pierces the ball with a needle. Then it injects it with another chemical, glycol, before releasing it. The mixture ignites one to two minutes later. The technology is already used by helicopters to start controlled burns. But researchers note that the drone is cheaper and more portable.
“You could afford one of these on the back of your fire truck. Whereas you probably can’t afford to have a full-sized helicopter parked at your fire station,” said Carrick Detweiler, a member of the Nebraska research team.