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Show Detectors Will Aid Lightning Location Rapid location of lightning strikes will be critical this summer, reports Rep. Gunn McKay (D-Utah). He said a new lightning detection system the BLM is installing at four western locations will help "keep an electrical storm from torching our drought ravaged forests and ranges." Rep. McKay announced units are being installed in Burley, Idaho; Elko, Nevada and Susanville, California. A fourth unit will be installed later in Cedar City. McKay predicted the system would be operating by summer. A magnetic direction finder is the heart of the unit. It can detect a lightning strike up to 250 miles away with accuracy within one mile. According to McKay, the 500 mile diameter survey area of each station will combine to cover all or part of Utah, California, Nevada, Idaho and Oregon. "It comes at a critical time," said McKay. "Potential for lightning ignited fires is very high this year because of the drought and with this new means of detection we could conceivably save thousands of acres." Rep. McKay explained that up to now the BLM has used radar alone to locate potential thunderheads and would send out spotters to check for lightning strikes. Now, actual strikes can be pinpointed regardless of cloud formations. TROPIC Martin Ramsay was recently named to the Salt Lake Tribune All-State Basketball Team. This is the second year he has won this honor. In four years of varsity participation Martin has helped his team win sixty basketball games, with fourteen wins this season. He has compiled a 25 point per .game and 16 rebounds per game average and total career points of 1461. At present he Is owner of seven of ten Individual school records. |