What is the fire retardant dropped from airplanes?

It’s called PHOS-CHEK Fortify. Researchers from Stanford and several other schools helped reformulate the red fire retardant into a clear version that’s stickier and longer-lasting. “It’s only red because we add a dye to pilots can see it. The new fire-retardant adheres better to vegetation and have that durability.

How do they fill planes with fire retardant?

Fire retardants are not typically used to extinguish the fire, but instead are used to contain the fire, or slow it down to allow ground crews to contain it. Because of this, retardants are usually dropped in front of or around a moving fire, rather than directly on it, creating a firebreak.

How much does a 747 fire retardant drop cost?

In 2020, the federal government and state agencies dropped over 56 million gallons (211,983,060 liters) of retardant, which costs on average $3.10 per gallon, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

How does air dropped fire retardant work?

Generally, fire retardants are dropped from aircraft or applied by ground crews around a wildfire’s edges in an effort to contain its spread. This allows ground crews time to work to extinguish the fire. However, when needed, retardant can also be dropped directly onto flames to cool the fire and reduce flame length.

What kind of plane is used to drop fire retardant?

Aerial supervision module/leadplane pilots and/or air tactical supervisors communicate with firefighters on the ground, other fire aircraft, and airtanker pilots. They release white smoke to show airtanker pilots where to drop fire retardant. Aircraft types: Beechcraft King Air 90 and Beechcraft King Air 200.

How long did it take to drop retardant on fire?

“Let’s get stuff up that we can get up.” But it would take nearly two hours for the first water-dropping helicopter to arrive, and roughly six hours for the first air tankers to drop retardant on the fire, because of dangerously strong winds.

How is flame retardant used in a fire?

It’s flame retardant that firefighting crews use to control and contain wildfires. They don’t drop it directly onto flames; rather, firefighters anticipate where the fire might spread, and they drop the retardant ahead of the flames.

How many gallons of fire retardant can a plane carry?

These small airplanes can reload and operate in areas where larger airtankers cannot. Aircraft types: Air Tractor AT-802. Large Airtankers (LATs) can deliver from 2,000 to 4,000 gallons of fire retardant to support firefighters on the ground.