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Wildfires could be helping North Carolina wildlife population

In the years since a North Carolina wildfire, researchers have noticed twice as many birds and more biodiversity compared to areas not touched by the flames.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wildfires can pose a real threat to you and your family, but there's new research out of North Carolina showing how it might actually help out nature flying high above.

A study of a 2016 North Carolina wildfire could help out loggers and birds. Let's connect the dots.

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Seven years ago wildfires burned more than 235 square miles of land in the North Carolina mountains. It took out hundreds of canopy trees that once covered the forest.

But other life was able to grow back fast.

In the years since the fire, researchers have noticed twice as many birds and more biodiversity compared to areas not touched by the flames.

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Without overhanging trees from above, it allowed new bird species to prosper. Researchers at NC State using the fire as a lesson to help bird populations across the country.

While wildfires cause safety concerns, the research could help decide where loggers harvest wood.

 All this to help our friends in nature prosper.   

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