Fire retardant blankets Los Angeles neighborhoods as crews battle wildfires

Aerial tankers have coated Los Angeles-area homes, vehicles and landscapes in pink fire retardant to slow wildfire spread, though questions about environmental impact persist.

Nadine Yousif reports for BBC.

In short:

• Firefighters are using Phos-Chek, a chemical fire retardant, to control wildfires across southern California.
• The product, consisting mostly of water, fertilizer salts and coloring agents, is sprayed to slow fires by coating vegetation and depriving flames of oxygen.
• Environmental concerns have led to lawsuits, with critics citing potential harm to aquatic life and wildlife habitats.

Key quote:

“The longer the retardant dries, the more difficult it is to remove completely.”

— Perimeter, the maker of Phos-Chek

Why this matters:

The increasing use of fire retardants raises concerns about balancing wildfire containment with environmental protection. As wildfires intensify due to climate change, communities and policymakers must consider potential trade-offs between safety and ecological impacts.

Read more: We’re dumping loads of retardant chemicals to fight wildfires. What does it mean for wildlife?