Researchers report nontoxic, biodegradable viscoelastic carrier fluids to enhance the retention of fire retardants on wildfire-prone vegetation through increased resistance to environmental exposure and microbial degradation; more than 8 out of 10 wildfires in California are estimated to have started in high-risk locations such as roadsides and utilities infrastructures during the last decade, and the authors suggest that treating high-risk locations with the fire retardant fluids may help prevent wildfires from starting throughout the peak fire season.
Article #19-07855: "Wildfire prevention through prophylactic treatment of high-risk landscapes using viscoelastic retardant fluids," by Anthony C. Yu et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Eric A Appel, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; tel: 650-498-9155; e-mail: eappel@stanford.edu
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences