The pink fire retardant that are saving Los Angeles homes

Fighting deadly infernos from the air

A spokesperson for Perimeter Solutions told The New York Times that retardants used for aerial firefighting had passed “extensive testing to confirm they meet strict standards for aquatic and mammalian safety.”

However, Perimeter Solutions states on the MVP-Fx safety data sheet that the product “may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.” Aerial retardant drops are prohibited in certain areas, including waterways and habitats in which endangered species live. However, there is an exception “when human life or public safety are threatened and retardant use in the aerial retardant avoidance area could be reasonably expected to alleviate the fire threat,” according to Forest service guidelines. Phos-Chek can fade over time in sunlight and be washed off with water, so it does not permanently stain a landscape. Neptune Aviation, a Montana-based air tanker company, is among the services currently delivering fire retardant to areas affected by the fires. The company contracts with the U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

January 16, 2025 | 5:45 am