The U.S. Forest Service approved a long-lasting fire retardant that could help fight wildfires across the country before they even start.
“Phos-Chek Fortify,” a long-lasting fire retardant made by Perimeter Solutions, is being called a “game-changer” as it’s used as a preventative measure and can last for months.
The fire retardant will primarily be used by utility companies and railroads, but it can also be used to protect residential and commercial properties.
“Phos-Chek Fortify effectively coats and maintains retardant on target vegetation and infrastructure assets,” according the the product description. “Providing protection against ignitions throughout the peak fire season, even through weathering, rain or high winds.”
In independent trials the fire retardant showed the ability to “almost completely stop the spread of fire, even after half an inch of simulated rain was placed on the vegetation and allowed to weather for two months,” the company said.
Unlike the typical red fire retardant dropped by aircraft, Phos-Chek Fortify is clear and applied from the ground.
“Having a product added to the USDA Forest Service QPL is a years-long endeavor, and I appreciate the prior dedication and commitment, as well as the work of the team at Perimeter Solutions to get this across the finish line,” Edward Goldberg, CEO of Perimeter Solutions, said in a statement.
“PHOS-CHEK has achieved many firsts. It was the first phosphate-based, long-term fire retardant included on the QPL in 1963, and I am proud of the fact that PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY is now the first highly-durable, preventative long-term retardant approved for use.”
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