Explainer: Los Angeles fire fighters are blowing pink smoke

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 5:28 PM IST

There has been a massive fire in Los Angeles, America, which is spreading. When fire brigade aircraft are passing through this affected area, they are seen blowing pink smoke. Why are they releasing pink smoke? So what…read more

If you look at this picture, these planes are blowing red-pink smoke while flying over the fire-stricken areas of Los Angeles. Actually, it definitely looks like smoke but it is not smoke but a pink colored liquid, which the fire fighting planes are dropping in the fire areas. This fire is being described as the most terrible fire in the world.

So what are these liquids that planes are dropping in Los Angeles? What does it do and what is it called? It is called fire retardant, a substance which slows down the process of fire or burning. It is a mixture of many chemicals and fertilizers. In which the largest quantity is of ammonium phosphate. Oxygen is required for fire to burn. .This liquid blocks the oxygen needed for fire. So that it does not spread too quickly.

What are fire retardants?
Fire retardant is a substance designed to slow or stop the spread of fire and reduce its intensity. This is achieved through various chemical reactions that reduce flammability or slow combustion in the event of a fire. Fire retardant mixtures can also extinguish fires through physical actions or endothermic reactions, and they are available in many forms, including powders, foams, gels, and coatings.

How many types of fire retardants are there
– These are mainly of two types – chemical fire retardants and flame retardants. Chemical fire retardants are usually used in combination with water or other agents to fight wildfires.
These things are included in this
– Water
– Ammonium sulphate: Reduces the fuel associated with fire.
– Potassium silicate – reduces combustibility
– Borates – act as wetting agents.
– Lignosulfonates – by-products from wood pulp that increase wetting.
– Gelling agents- These help the retardant to stick to the surfaces.

These fire retardants turn the color of the place where they are dropped pink, which shows that a fire retardant chemical has been dropped there. (Photo – AP)

Flame retardant i.e. flame retardant i.e. those who slow down fire. These are added to materials like plastic and textile to prevent fire and prevent the flame from spreading. There are many types of these
Halogenated flame retardants (e.g., bromine and chlorine compounds)
Phosphorus-Based Flame Retardant
Nitrogen-Based Flame Retardant

How is fire retardant solution used?
– Fire retardant solution is dropped from aircraft to prevent fire from spreading.
– Many construction materials are combined with fire retardant materials to increase safety in public buildings such as schools and hospitals
– Items like furniture and electronics often contain flame retardants to meet safety standards

Why are they pink in color?
– This fire extinguishing chemical is given pink color so that the fire fighters know where it has been used. Where they are dropped, it turns pink to show that they have been used.

How do they work?
– Flame retardants work through a variety of chemical mechanisms that prevent or slow combustion. Some flame retardants, especially halogenated compounds, release gases such as hydrogen chloride or bromide when heated. These gases react with free radicals in the flame, such as hydroxyl (OH·) and hydrogen (H·) radicals, effectively extinguishing and extinguishing the flame. This not only reduces the intensity of the flame but also reduces its spread.

– Some flame retardants form a char layer on the surface of the material when exposed to heat. These act as a barrier, blocking the path of oxygen and slowing down combustion.
– Some flame retardants contain hydrated minerals that undergo endothermic reactions when heated. They start absorbing the surrounding fire and then cool it down. During this process, water vapor is released, which reduces the intensity of the flammable gases produced during combustion.
– Flame retardants can also release non-combustible gases such as carbon dioxide or water vapor during combustion. These gases dilute the flammable vapors and reduce the total heat generated in the process, thereby helping to extinguish the fire.