AI researchers at USC and UC San Diego have developed a tool to optimize prescribed burns
It considers several factors including weather, wind speed, and type of terrain to simulate how a controlled burn will progress and where the smoke will go
Researchers say this will allow land managers and burn bosses to implement more controlled burns and clear out brush to prevent massive wildfires
They are also working closely with land managers, burn bosses, and fire officials to test the tool and get their input so that it can be refined