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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Tammy Webber

Pink flame retardants are being used to slow California fires. What do we know about them?

California Wildfires Fire Retardant - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Aircraft battling fires raging through the Los Angeles area are dropping more than water: Hundreds of thousands of gallons of hot-pink fire suppressant ahead of the flames in a desperate effort to stop them before they destroy more neighborhoods.

The fires have killed at least 24 people, displaced thousands and destroyed more than 12,000 structures since they began last Tuesday. Four fires driven by strong Santa Ana winds have charred about 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), according to Cal Fire.

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