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mayhem, flickr
Fire retardant is a substance that acts as a preventative or delayer against combustion. Although fire retardants usually refer to chemicals, water is the most common of these preventatives. This term can also refer to a coating placed over an object, such as sprays for clothing or even Christmas trees.
There are multiple ways for a substance to act as a fire retardant. Some examples of the actions taken by these substances are cooling, diluting or forming a protective layer which keeps the material from igniting.
When firefighters are called into action to stop forest and wild fires, mass amounts are put into action. The protocol is to surround the edge of the fire with the retardants to prevent it spreading further. Ground crews apply the retardant to the edge as well as chemicals and water being dropped from airplanes and helicopters. During such disasters the air support can also drop the retardants directly on top of the flames to cool the fire and help reduce the size of the flames.
Most of the chemicals used by airplanes and helicopters in wild and forest fire operations are considered non-toxic. However, whenever large amounts of any "non-toxic" chemicals are present, organisms are at risk. Air drops are non allowed within 300 feet of bodies of water, unless lives are in eminent danger. The US Forestry Service conducts research on fire retardants used in the combating wildfires. They are also responsible for monitoring the effects of the retardants on wildlife.
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