Fighting fire with fire
Terry Walter monitors a control burn Feb. 15 near the Enlisted Club at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Members of 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources flight have contained two small fires on the base, which are away from any facilities and unrelated to the large wildfires currently sweeping through the state. One fire on base was started by a lightning strike and the other by a drone launch. The base remains unthreatened because of its use of control burns to increase fire safety and improve wildlife environments. By burning periodically, the threat of unpredictable, disastrous wildfires is reduced and ecological rejuvenation occurs, providing a better environment for Tyndall's 46 federally protected and endangered plant and animal species. Mr. Walter is the wildland fire program manager for the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo)