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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?

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President Donald Trump has ordered states to stop using federal funds for electric vehicle chargers, but legal and market forces may limit his ability to derail the expansion.

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