What is the pink powder being used for in the Los Angeles wildfires?

In the past week, Los Angeles has been facing a devastating series of wildfires, covering more than 62 square miles of land. However, with the help of planes, firefighters have been working tirelessly to contain and prevent further destruction. From Pasadena to the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast, they have been racing to fight the flames and protect the affected areas.

One of the methods used by the firefighters is the use of planes to drop thousands of gallons of water in an attempt to stop the fire from spreading. In addition, they have also been using a pink substance known as Phos-Chek, a widely used fire retardant that has been in use in California since 1963. Many viral videos have been circulating showing the low-flying planes dropping large amounts of the bright pink material, which has also been photographed coating homes, mailboxes, and cars in the affected areas.

But why is the fire retardant pink? According to the company behind Phos-Chek, Perimeter, the bright neon color serves as a visual aid for pilots and firefighters when it is being spread over large areas. The mixture itself is made up of coloring agents, salts, water, and fire retardant, which when applied, can effectively slow down the rapid spread of wildfires. It is considered a "long-term" retardant, meaning that even after the water in the formula has dried up, it can continue to prevent the fire from spreading.

However, while Phos-Chek has proven to be an effective tool in fighting wildfires, it can also be a nuisance to clean off. As Perimeter stated online, the longer the retardant dries, the more difficult it is to remove completely. This can be a challenge for homeowners whose homes and yards have been covered in the pink substance. It is recommended to use a power washer for larger surfaces, but warm water and dish soap can also do the trick for smaller areas like cars and mailboxes. Despite the challenges, the use of Phos-Chek has been crucial in helping to prevent further destruction caused by these devastating wildfires.

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