Pittsburg, PA
Technology developed in Pittsburgh could be game-changing in fighting wildfires
A technology developed in the Pittsburgh area could be the next big thing when it comes to fighting wildfires.
A former deputy chief in Greensburg has had an interest in firefighting foam since he wrote his term paper on it when he was 17 years old.
Larry Sukay recently returned to the firehall where he grew up: Fire Station #1. He was there the day it opened and spent 15 years with the department.
It was during that time that he learned about the foam technology developed in the late 50′s in Greensburg to put out coal mine fires. Sukay says it was integral in getting the historic La Rose Shop fire out in 1961.
He moved from the area in 1985 to California, a landscape increasing with wildfires. Sukay is now using his knowledge of firefighting foam to try to stop them.
“The technology that was developed here in Western Pennsylvania is going to address that global issue,” said Sukay.
Sukay has taken that foam “recipe” that was created in Greensburg and adapted it to make his own foam and own technology to drop it from a helicopter.
He says it can put down 8,000 feet of fire line in one pass, compared to 600 feet from a helicopter dropped with the same amount of liquid.
Sukay says foam attacks from 3 different angles: it eliminates oxygen, fuel, and heat.
“The technology we have is important, but an equally important part of our technology is we’re dropping an environmentally friendly, plant-based foam. Its safe for humans, animals, aquatic life, and its biodegradable,” Sukay also adds its free from PFAS.
Though Western Pennsylvania doesn’t have the wildfires that he does out west:
“There are sections here in town where the vegetation has grown up significantly around homes. You can have a major vegetation fire here even in Western Pennsylvania,” said Sukay.
The SKHI-EX system is still in the design and testing phase, but Sukay hopes to be able to launch it for fire departments to buy.
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Pittsburgh Regional Transit has started to install its ReadyFare vending machines as the agency prepares to roll out its new fare payment system.
PRT said it’s working to roll out its new ReadyFare system and has started to install the new machine at some of its light-rail stations.
The new machines recently were installed at PRT’s Gateway station in Downtown Pittsburgh.
PRT said that as it prepares to roll out the new system, current ConnectCard holders will receive a card in the mail with instructions on how to request a ReadyFare card.
The new ReadyFare cards will be able to be purchased at the new machines for $1.
PRT said that riders will be able to transfer any balances they have on a ConnectCard to the new ReadyFare cards using an online balance transfer form.
Pittsburg, PA
About 5 pounds of bees removed from Acrisure Stadium scaffolding ahead of Morgan Wallen concerts
Acrisure Stadium is buzzing with excitement ahead of the back-to-back Morgan Wallen concerts. Except it’s not the fans generating all the excitement — it’s about 5 pounds of honeybees.
The Fine Family Apiary in Monongahela said it was contacted on Wednesday about a swarm of bees clustered on the stage scaffolding. The apiary put the swarm in a “nuc box” and took them home before moving the bees into full-size equipment.
Owner Al Fine estimates the swarm weighed about 4 to 5 pounds and consisted of 12,000 to 15,000 bees. All said, it took less than two hours to get the job done.
Why do bees swarm?
Swarming is how honeybees propagate, Fine explained. According to Penn State Extension, during swarming, the queen and about half the workers leave their home to establish a new nest. The bees will form a temporary cluster, hanging out while scouts search the surrounding area for a more permanent home in hollow spaces like tree cavities or, occasionally, the walls of a home.
Swarms can stick around for several hours or days until they’re ready to move, Penn State Extension says. Meanwhile, the colony left behind is temporarily without a leader until a new queen is established.
With the swarm at Acrisure Stadium removed, Morgan Wallen’s show is ready to go on. The country music megastar will bring his I’m The Problem Tour to Pittsburgh on June 5 and June 6, along with multiple acts like Brooks & Dunn and Ella Langley.
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