SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California has a new level of co-operation with the Pentagon as it tries to avoid another deadly, destructive fire season, Gov. Officials are searching for ways to avoid fires like the one that devastated the Northern California city of Paradise last fall, killing 85 people. “We’re just working more collaboratively with the federal government on technology and procuring access to technology that we haven’t had access before, for fires primarily,” Newsom said. “Leading edge technology — that’s the bottom line.” In addition to the satellite technology, Shanahan is allowing the National Guard to use its unmanned drones on any CalFire operation through year’s end. Previously, state officials had to get separate Defence Department approval each time they wanted to use the drones, though they’ve been used periodically since 2013.

Source: thestar June 03, 2019 23:15 UTC