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CIThis is the Science Behind The Red Cloud Stopping Wildfires.
That Red Cloud Isn’t Smoke. It’s A Fire-Stopping Shield From The Sky .
That red cloud you see during wildfires isn’t smoke. It’s Phos-Chek, a specially designed fire retardant dropped from aircraft to slow massive fires.
It’s made mostly of water mixed with fertilizer salts, thickening agents, and a bright red iron-oxide dye. The red color helps pilots and firefighters clearly see which areas have already been treated.
When it lands, it coats vegetation and creates a protective barrier that makes plants far less likely to burn. This doesn’t instantly extinguish flames, but it slows the fire’s spread, giving firefighters crucial time to control it.
The color usually fades with sunlight or washes away with rain. However, if it reaches rivers or lakes, it can harm aquatic ecosystems, which is why drops are carefully planned.
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