Fire Retardant: What is that "pink stuff"

The Pink Stuff: What You Should Know

You know that “pink stuff” that helicopters and other aircraft drop to help slow down a wildfire? It’s not exactly a traditional “fire extinguisher.” Most of it comes from a single company and is often called “Phos-Check.” This substance is actually dropped in front of a blaze, where it sticks to vegetation and helps slow down the fire’s spread.

Understanding the Composition

There have been plenty of articles claiming how harmless the pink stuff is (it’s mainly made of water, fertilizer, and thickeners). But, like many stories out there, the “facts” don’t tell the whole story.

What Firefighters Say

If you ask firefighters who have had the foam land on them, they’ll share that it contains ammonia. This can cause irritation on small scratches, chapped skin, or sunburn, and it can also damage various items in a home exposed to it.

Impact on Wildlife

The pink stuff isn’t just a concern for humans; it’s known to harm frogs, fish, and other aquatic life. That’s why pilots are required to stay at least 300 feet away from any body of water when dropping the retardant, whether it’s ponds, rivers, or lakes.

Cleanup Challenges

When it comes to cleaning up the pink retardant, hazmat suits are essential. The red dye used in many formulations is often derived from iron oxide (rust), which helps pilots see where they’ve sprayed. However, cleaning up rust can be tricky. If you use too much force, the rust can embed itself into porous surfaces like brick and stone. Professionals know how to handle this without using pressure hoses.

Dealing with Affected Plants

If the pink, sticky substance lands on valuable plants, it can be removed fairly easily, but timing is key. Remember, this stuff is designed to kill vegetation to create fire breaks.

Environmental Considerations

Cleanup crews are careful not to wash the fire retardant into storm drains or nearby bodies of water, which is the same reason pilots avoid dropping it close to water sources. It’s all about keeping our environment safe while managing the risks of wildfires.