Ping pong-like balls are used in controlled burns around forest fires and to remove old brush and forest litter. Each ball, the size and shape of a ping pong ball, contains potassium permanganate and is loaded into a hopper on a helicopter. On release over the target area, a small needle pierces each ball and injects a measured amount of ethylene glycol and water which initiates a chemical reaction producing enough heat to cause the ball to burst into flames shortly after hitting the ground amongst the scrub and thus starting a fire. It's a safe and effective tool for forest fire management.
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Ping pong-like balls are used in controlled burns around forest fires and to remove old brush and forest litter. Each ball, the size and shape of a ping pong ball, contains potassium permanganate and is loaded into a hopper on a helicopter. On release over the target area, a small needle pierces each ball and injects a measured amount of ethylene glycol and water which initiates a chemical reaction producing enough heat to cause the ball to burst into flames shortly after hitting the ground amongst the scrub and thus starting a fire. It's a safe and effective tool for forest fire management.
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