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NASA has taken to the skies of Alaska

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An airborne study conducted in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service

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aims to complete a detailed survey of the Tanana Valley Forests

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The 115 million acres of forest in Interior Alaska 

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is particularly prone to wild fires and represents 15 percent of all forested land in the U.S.

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Since the 1950's, 40 to 50 percent of the landscape has been burned

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The study will sample more than 80 percent of the burned areas by plane

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Live trees can be distinguished from standing dead trees

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using an instrument that maps the composition and 3D structure of the wilderness

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The measurements will enable scientists to see patterns of fire recovery

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and provide a benchmark for assessing future changes to the region

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