As wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, firefighters are turning to an essential tool in their battle against the flames: hot-pink fire retardant. Thousands of gallons are being dropped from aircraft in a race to control the fires before they can ravage more neighborhoods.
The fires, which began last Tuesday, have already claimed the lives of at least 24 people, displaced thousands, and destroyed over 12,000 structures. Driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, these fires have scorched about 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) of land, according to Cal Fire.
Fire agencies praise the effectiveness of aerial fire suppressants, commonly used in forest fires, but their safety and potential environmental impact raise concerns. Here’s what you need to know about these fire-fighting chemicals:
Why Are Aerial Fire Suppressants Used in Los Angeles?
The flames are spreading quickly through rugged terrain, such as canyons, making it difficult for ground crews to access and fight the fire. Aerial fire suppressants help tackle these areas from the air, but their success can be limited by the strong winds that hinder flights and disperse the retardant before it reaches the ground.
In addition to Cal Fire, other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Los Angeles and Ventura County fire departments, local city agencies, and the National Guard have all used aerial suppressants to combat the blaze.
How Do Fire Retardants Work?
Fire retardants are typically a mixture of water, ammonium phosphate (a fertilizer compound), and iron oxide, which gives the retardant its bright pink color. According to Daniel McCurry, a USC professor of civil and environmental engineering, this mixture helps smother the fire by cooling and coating vegetation and other fuels.
The Forest Service, which has deployed 13 aircraft to fight the Los Angeles fires, explains that the suppressants help deprive the fire of oxygen and reduce the speed at which it spreads. The use of ammonium phosphate also alters the decomposition process of plant cellulose, making the plants non-flammable.
Potential Environmental and Wildlife Concerns
While aerial fire retardants are considered safe for humans, concerns have been raised about their environmental effects, especially on wildlife. The Forest Service prohibits the use of retardants over waterways and areas with endangered species, except in cases where public safety is at risk, due to potential harm to aquatic life.
McCurry and his team at USC found traces of heavy metals, including chromium and cadmium, in one formulation of the fire retardant commonly used by the Forest Service. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact source of these metals, McCurry suggests that they could contribute to increased levels of these metals in downstream waters after a wildfire.
However, Perimeter, the company that supplies the Forest Service, asserts that the formulations used in California have been exhaustively tested and meet all health and safety standards. The company also states that the trace metals are naturally present in ammonium phosphate fertilizers, and the formulation used in the current firefighting efforts does not include them.
Retardants as a Vital Tool
Despite these concerns, fire retardants are seen as an essential method for containing fires that threaten communities and public health. Wildfires produce fine particulate matter that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Smoke from wildfires has been identified as a major contributor to air pollution in the western U.S., accounting for up to half of the harmful particles in the air during fire season.
Additionally, recent research has raised concerns about the effects of wildfire smoke on brain health, with findings suggesting it may increase the risk of dementia, making it even more critical to manage the fires effectively.
Edward Goldberg, vice chairman of Perimeter, emphasized the importance of using fire retardants to save lives and minimize property damage:
“Wildland fire retardant is the best way to save lives, protect communities, and keep fires manageable.”
McCurry acknowledges the need for more research on the long-term impacts of fire retardants but understands their importance in preventing greater harm. He summed it up with a personal perspective:
“If a brush fire were coming for my house, I’d still prefer to have a lot of fire retardant in front of it.”
Conclusion
As the fires rage on, fire retardants continue to play a crucial role in battling the flames and protecting lives. While concerns about their environmental effects remain, the immediate need to control these catastrophic fires and protect communities outweighs the risks, according to experts. Further studies will be needed to assess the full impact of these chemicals, but for now, they remain an indispensable tool in the fight against wildfires.
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