Drones doing fire surveys in Idaho

“The lack of maps is a huge, critical problem for conserving sagebrush and any species – like sage grouse – that depend on it,” said Matt Germino, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist.

“We have probably replanted the wrong type of sagebrush to some habitats,” he said.

A key part of the Interior Department’s new wildfire strategy involves replacing native plants after giant blazes, which have been an increasing problem in rangeland in many Western states over the last decade. Such efforts would reduce the likelihood of invasive plants, which often burn more easily, from overrunning scorched areas. More here.