Crews battling the ongoing deadly wildfires in Los Angeles have begun dropping a bright pink flame retardant known as Phoscheck from the air to combat the persistent flames.
This eye-catching flame retardant, seen in photos coating homes, cars and yards, has been used to extinguish persistent fires for more than 50 years, according to its manufacturer, Perimeter Solutions. .
This common firefighting tool is the first phosphate-based flame retardant approved by the U.S. Forest Service and is colored red to help firefighters spot it.
Foscek consists primarily of salt, usually agricultural fertilizer, which “alter the way the fire burns, reduce its strength, and slow its progress even after the water it originally contained has evaporated.” . According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Leftover Foscheck will fade when exposed to sunlight or “until the weather clears,” according to the USDA.
Phos-Chek has been approved by the USDA to meet environmental safety standards and is, according to the manufacturer, “the safest, most effective, and environmentally friendly product available.”
