The US Forest Service and other fire agencies have long used Long Term Retardants (LTRs) as the primary choice for aerial applications. Their principle benefit is for indirect attack, where the contained salts provide fire retarding or slowing capability after all water in the solution has evaporated. However, because a large percentage of all aerial applications are direct attack, the qualitative and economic benefits of LTRs in direct attack are minimal. The following statement from the US Forest Service is pertinent:
“Long-term retardants are only marginally more effective than plain water in direct attack…… and may be the least desirable alternative due to costs.”
Firewall II, a liquid polymer water enhancer has proven to be a superior, cost-effective fire suppressant compared to LTRs, without the damaging environmental affects found in LTRs. Its chemical composition alters the physical characteristics of water by chemically bonding with water molecules, holding large quantities of water in suspension during heat attack, especially in vertical fuels and on smooth surfaces. Its effectiveness is noticeably increased by improved drop accuracy due to less turbulent drift and evaporations losses, thereby delivering more product to the advancing flame front.
Firewall II has passed US Forest Service corrosion tests and is ideally suited for and approved for use in helicopter bucket or fixed tank operations and SEATs. The US Forest Service has also approved its use for “application from multi-engine aircraft for those agencies whose policy permits this use.”
The following links describe the basic science behind Firewall II, document its effectiveness compared to plain water and water-foam mixtures, explain operational issues to consider on going fires and indicate how fire agency personnel can order the product.
For additional information about Firewall II or its applications on wildland fires,
please contact Eco Fire Solutions, (530) 268-1613