Aircraft fighting raging fires through Los Angeles area douse the area with more than water. Hundreds of thousands gallons hot-pink flame suppressant has been dropped in a desperate attempt to stop the fires before they destroy any more neighborhoods.
Since they started on Tuesday, January 7, the fires that are deadly have destroyed over 12,000 structures and displaced thousands. Cal Fire reports that four major fires, driven by strong Santa Ana wind , have burned 62 square kilometers.
Fire agencies claim that suppressants, which are most commonly used to combat forest fires, are a valuable tool. What are the ingredients and is it safe?
What you need to know about:
What are the uses of fire suppression agents?
Cal Fire reported that the fires are spreading quickly in canyons and other difficult terrains for firefighters to reach.
The agency stated that while fire suppressants are very effective, there are limitations. The agency said that strong winds can make it dangerous to drop fire retardants at low altitudes.
Cal Fire is not the only agency that has dropped water and fire retardant. The U.S. Forest Service as well as the Los Angeles County and Ventura County Fire Departments, the City of Los Angeles, and the National Guard have all done so.
What are aerial fire suppression agents?
Aerial fire suppression agents are usually a mixture of ammonium-phosphate, or fertilizer, and iron oxide. The latter is added in order to make the retardant more visible, according to Daniel McCurry.
The Forest Service says that 13 aircraft have been used to drop suppressants onto the Los Angeles Fires. They help starve the fire of oxygen, and slow down the rate of burning by cooling and coating the vegetation and other surfaces.
Perimeter, a company that provides fire retardant for the Forest Service, among other agencies, claims the phosphate alters the decomposition of cellulose and renders plants non-flammable.
Although fire suppression agents are considered to be safe for humans, many people worry about the potential impact on wildlife.
Due to the potential effects of aerial suppressants on fish, other wildlife and human health, The Forest Service prohibits their use over waterways and habitats for endangered species.
McCurry from USC said that he and his colleagues tested several suppressants, and found heavy metals including chromium, cadmium and lead in one of the most commonly used by U.S. Forest Service.
McCurry stated that the findings of the study suggest that it is “possible” that fire suppression agents could be contributing to spikes in chromium, and other heavy metals, in waterways downwind of wildfires.
McCurry stated, “We haven’t yet found a smoking-gun because it is difficult, but not impossible, for us to prove the origin of a heavy metal.” “We are working on it.”
Perimeter, which manufactures the Forest Service fire retardant said McCurry did his research on a formula that was not used in California, and isn’t currently used by the Forest Service. The company says that it does not add metals to its ammonium fertilizer, as they are present naturally. It also claims that their aerial suppressants have been thoroughly tested by the USDA Forest Service, and exceed or meet all safety and health standards.
Use of flame retardants in the protection of power grid
CBS Los Angeles reported that several Los Angeles-area power companies also use flame retardants in an effort to protect poles and power lines.
The crews have worked for days to stop as many power poles along the edge of the wildfires – the Palisades Fire on the Los Angeles coastline and the Eaton Fire high in the mountains above Pasadena, Altadena, and Pasadena.
They first clear the shrubbery around the poles and then use their trucks, to spray each pole with the fire retardant, the same substance dropped by aircraft above. They spray the fire retardant as high as they can and into the cracks of the pole to prevent embers from getting a foothold.
“That way, if the fire makes it this way or when it does, we won’t have to be concerned about embers catching them,” said Connor Norton. Norton was one of the PG&E workers working in North Hollywood, on Sunday.
The best way to save a life
Fire retardants are essential to put out wildfires, which expose millions to risks to their health. These include a toxic mixture of microscopic particle that can cause heart and breathing problems.
Wildfire smoke has been responsible for half of the particle pollution that is harmful to health in western U.S. during recent years, as temperatures have risen.
The Alzheimer’s Association released a study last year that found wildfire smoke to be more harmful than other air pollutants for the brain, increasing the risk of dementia.
Edward Goldberg is vice chairman for solutions at Perimeter. He said that using wildland fire retardant was the best way to protect lives, communities, and keep fires in check.
McCurry, a USC researcher, says that more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of fire retardants, including after the Los Angeles fires have been put out. However, he does not doubt their importance: “If a brushfire was coming towards my house, I would still prefer to paint (fire retardant), in front of it.”
