The bright pink powder seen in California wildfires is a fire retardant called Phos-Chek
Los Angeles: The wildfires in Southern California have been pretty intense lately. You might have noticed those bright pink streaks in the air. That’s fire retardant called Phos-Chek.
These fires have been fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, leading to tragic losses and massive destruction. The Palisades Fire, the biggest one, is still only partially contained. It’s been a tough time for everyone, especially with the smoke causing health concerns.
So, what’s in that pink powder? It’s mostly water and ammonium phosphate, which is also in fertilizers. The pink dye helps firefighters see where it’s been dropped, making their job a bit easier.
Shannon Horn from Perimeter Solutions explained that Phos-Chek helps change how plants react to heat. Instead of becoming fuel for the fire, it creates a barrier that slows down the flames.
Neptune Aviation is one of the companies dropping this stuff from the sky. They’ve been busy, delivering over 280,000 gallons to help fight the fires. They have to be careful, though, avoiding waterways to protect the environment.
There are some concerns about heavy metals in the retardant, but experts say the benefits of using it outweigh the risks. The immediate dangers from smoke are much worse, leading to serious health issues.
In the end, while the pink powder might look strange, it’s a crucial tool in battling these wildfires and keeping communities safe.
