But they weren’t dousing flames this time. Instead, they were helping residents whose homes were covered in a pink claylike dust called Phos-chek during the firefighting effort.
Phos-Chek is an aerial- and ground-applied chemical retardant for control and management of wildland fires, according to the website of its Rancho Cucamonga-based manufacturer, ICL Performance Products LP.
“Our community has come together to support us in many ways,” San Bernardino County Fire Capt. Mike Arvizo said. “This small gesture is a way for us to give back to them.”
In some cases Phos-Chek, if not cleaned off quickly, could stain homes and vehicles.
“We’re trying to help homeowners clean the retardant from their homes to minimize any damage,” county fire Assistant Chief John Chamberlin said.
Phos-Chek is dropped from fixed-wing aircraft with specially fitted holding tanks designed for the pink fire retardant, according to CalFire’s aviation website.
Some of the aircraft in the state’s aviation fleet can hold up to 24,000 gallons of the fire retardant.
“When we saw those planes dropping so much of that pink stuff and dark plumes of smoke rising we knew the fire was burning out of control and we prayed our home would be saved,” resident Tim McComber said. “Seeing the firefighters cleaning off homes made us respect them that much more. They and the sheriff’s department did an amazing job saving homes, property and all of our lives.”
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