Planes and helicopters crisscross the air to drop a substance on flora and homes. But why is it colorful?
Cars, trees and garden tables completely covered in pink dust. In Los Angeles County, ravaged by immense fires since Tuesday, bomber planes are flying over the territory, seeking to contain the flames. While most dump hundreds of liters of water, some release an astonishing pink powder, forming impressive trails in the sky and covering the landscape in a thin layer.
Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Co
This product is a “retardant”, a non-combustible substance, containing ammonium phosphate, a flame retardant salt, which protects flora from fires by increasing the combustion temperature from 300°C to 700°C, according to the Natura Sciences website. It also contains 80% water and iron oxide, which gives it this pink color. The latter has no aesthetic purpose: it helps crews know which areas have already been protected.
JASON BEAN/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Co
It was the fleet of the American company “10 tanker air carrier”, which supplied these DC-10 planes, designed specifically to fight fires. They can contain more than 35,000 liters of water or retarding product.
If the winds had reduced in intensity on Friday, they will pick up very strongly this Sunday, with peaks of 100 km/h expected in certain areas.
