A NASA prototype could save the lives of firefighters as blazes erupt in western U.S.

Nearly 40 large wildfires now burn across the United States. 

Blazes are expected this time of year, with hot air, dry land, and gusty winds stoking big fires throughout the western U.S. But today, twice as much land is burned than in the early 1980s, when the U.S. Forest Service started keeping good fire records each year. 

As hotter climes and increased drought parch the land, this means that wildland firefighters are exposed to more flames than they have been since modern record keeping began. 

SEE ALSO: California's wine country fire has been brewing for years

These firefighters are extremely well-trained, but sometimes the worst happens: Flames surround fire crews and force them to take cover under foil-like tents, called emergency fire shelters. Here, they wait for the scorching flames to pass overhead. Read more...

More about Nasa, Science, Drought, Climate Change, and Firefighters

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