Phos-Chek used to contain wildfires in Southern California, but raises environmental concerns. Image: Firstpost
(The Post News)- A striking sight has met Southern California’s wildfires, airplanes dispersing vibrant red and pink powder over Los Angeles suburbs. This colorful substance, known as fire retardant, has become a familiar presence, coating streets, homes, and vehicles. Thousands of gallons have been deployed to halt the spread of the flames. The question remains: What is the fire retardant made of? How does it combat the wildfires?
Phos-Chek is the name of the flame retardant. Furthermore, Perimeter is the company which distributes the product. Phos-Chek has been an active fire retardant in the U.S since 1963. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, use it as their main long-term fire retardant. Furthermore, it is the most-used fire retardant in the world.
As the wildfires raged in southern California over the past week, images of the pink powder-like substance surfaced. The images shows vehicles and driveways covered in the substance. In the past, Perimeter has advised cleaning the powder off as soon as it is safe to do so. They further cautioned that the longer the retardant dries, the more difficult it is to remove completely. The company says that using warm water and mild detergent is effective in removing the product from small surfaces. Pressure washers works best for larger surfaces. According to the company, the color is a visual aid for pilots and firefighters. They further state after a few days of exposure to sunlight, the color fades to earth tones.
Phos-Chek is used to coat vegetation and other flammable surfaces when sprayed in front of flames. Additionally, it prevents oxygen from feeding the fire. This effectively forms a barrier that slows down the spread of flames. However, strong winds can make aerial drops complicated. This leads to the powder spreading before it hits its target.
Environmental experts have raised concerns about the effects of fire retardants on ecosystems and human health.
In response to the lawsuit and environmental concerns, the Forest Service has taken steps to address the issues. They’ve phased out one formulation of Phos-Chek, a fire retardant, and replaced it with a less toxic version. Additionally, they’ve put restrictions in place to prevent dropping retardants near sensitive environmental areas.
Firefighters are continuing working around the clock to contain massive fires that has burnt over 12,000 structures and killing about 24 people. With winds of over 113km/h are expected, more crews and equipment are being deployed . Residents in high-risk areas are advised to evacuate.
About the Author
