- The effects of fire retardants on the environment are understudied.
- They have caused harmful algal blooms and are toxic to fish, as well as bioaccumulate in the food chain.
- CalFire and USFS are not supposed to spray retardants within 300 feet of any waterway, however, an addendum to this rule states that retardants may be used where human life or property is threatened.
Research Question: What is the level of human interference in wildfires and the effectiveness of prevention with fire retardants?
- Fire retardant areas surround the main urban areas along California’s coast.
- Southern and northern California counties have the highest incidence of fires along with the Eastern portion.
- Majority of wildfires started by human interaction. Many fires are close to urban areas.
- Fire retardant usage is focused on urban areas rather than rural locations with the most fire incidence, making them inefficient for wildfire prevention.
