Wildfire prevention through prophylactic treatment of high-risk landscapes using viscoelastic retardant fluids.

ABSTRACT: Polyphosphate fire retardants are a critical tactical resource for fighting fires in the wildland and in the wildland-urban interface. Yet, application of these retardants is limited to emergency suppression strategies because current formulations cannot retain fire retardants on target vegetation for extended periods of time through environmental exposure and weathering. New retardant formulations with persistent retention to target vegetation throughout the peak fire season would enable methodical, prophylactic treatment strategies of landscapes at high risk of wildfires through prolonged prevention of ignition and continual impediment to active flaming fronts. Here we develop a sprayable, environmentally benign viscoelastic fluid comprising biopolymers and colloidal silica to enhance ad

SUBMITTER: Yu AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6800381 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature