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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/27/fire-retardant-use-explodes-as-worries-about-water-wildlife-risk-grow">https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/27/fire-retardant-use-explodes-as-worries-about-water-wildlife-risk-grow</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:14.0pt'>Fire Retardant Use Explodes as Worries About Water, Wildlife Risk Grow</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><span class=start><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>“Chemical fire retardants </span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>are considered a vital wildland firefighting tool, helping to slow the spread of flames while ground crews move into position. But as their use increases, the harmful side effects of these chemicals are coming under increasing scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span class=s1><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>The chemicals, usually dropped from low-flying aircraft, largely consist of ammonia compounds, which are known toxins to fish and other aquatic life. Studies have shown retardants can kill fish, alter soil chemistry, feed harmful algae blooms and even encourage the spread of invasive plants. Yet there is little regulation of their use, and no safer alternatives on the market.</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span class=s1><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>In California, state firefighting crews have applied </span></span><span class=caps><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>15.3</span></span><span class=s1><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'> million gallons of chemical fire retardants so far this year, according to data provided by CalFire, the state’s wildland firefighting agency. That’s a new record, and double the amount used just three years ago…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span class=s1><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'>[read more]</span></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Georgia","serif";color:#555555'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>