California fights fires with water, red retardant and resilience
California fires are being fought not only with water but also using the red fire retardant Phos-Chek LC95. What is it? According to American media, it is a special mixture of water, fertilizers, and rust that effectively slows the spread of fire.
There are intense firefighting efforts in California, using thousands of litres of the red fire retardant Phos-Chek LC95. As reported by NPR, this agent has been used for decades by the U.S. Forest Service. Its main ingredient is phosphate fertilizer, which slows the spread of fire.
It's one of maybe only two products currently approved for aerial use by the Forest Service, says Daniel McCurry, a lecturer in civil and environmental engineering at the University of California. "It's basically a mixture of water, fertilizer, and then the red color that you see is just rust," he added, reports NPR.
Phos-Chek LC95 is a mixture of water, fertilizer, and rust, which gives it its characteristic red colour. This agent is dropped from the air on fire boundaries to prevent further spreading. As a result, even after the water evaporates, it remains in place for a longer time, enhancing its effectiveness. The site can remain marked with red colour for several weeks.
Although Phos-Chek does not contain substances considered carcinogenic, studies indicate the presence of heavy metals as natural contaminants. Nevertheless, in the face of fires, the primary threat remains air pollution. Experts recommend wearing protective masks in areas affected by fires.
Devastating fires in the US. Celebrities lose their homes
In recent days, California has been grappling with devastating fires that have engulfed Los Angeles and surrounding areas. The disaster has already destroyed over 12,000 buildings, and the death toll is at least eleven. Specialists point to the Santa Ana winds as a major factor fueling the spread of the fire. The winds are speeding at 160 km/h.
The escalation of fires has also been contributed to by extreme climate conditions. Prolonged drought combined with high temperatures has made wild vegetation exceptionally flammable. Experts from AccuWeather have estimated that the costs associated with the fires could reach up to $57 (CAD 80) billion.
Many celebrities' residences have been lost in the fires, including those of Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal.
