Use of Retardant by Ground Application
In general, PHOS-CHeK retardants can be used in prescribed burns to reduce the
flammability of fuels, either in association with fuel removal, clearing mineral earth lines or as a substitute for fuel removal. There are several potential purposes:-
Reinforcing conventional control lines - Application of Retardant can increase the width and therefore the effectiveness of roads, mineral earth lines and other natural features, which can be used to contain a burn.
Establishing a control line - PHOS-CHeK Retardants can provide a line from which to burn. The burn buffer and retardant line, together, provide a control line for a prescribed burn, without the necessity of clearing a line to mineral earth.
Limiting spotting -Application outside the control line, at a lower coverage level, can minimize the possibility of spot fires.
Controlling a fire within the burn - Application at lower coverage levels inside the burn can help reduce the flame intensity and height as the burn approaches the control line. Application around the base of fire-sensitive trees can help protect them from damage in understory burns. This may also reduce mop-up time.
Protecting assets - Application along fences, around power and telephone poles and
structures can help them from burning or scorching.
Advantages - Since PHOS-CHeK retardants do not depend on the contained water for their effectiveness, they retain their retardant properties until they are washed, blown or rubbed off the fuel they have been applied to. They can be applied hours, days or weeks in advance. There are no restrictions on the application due to weather, smoke, inversions, visibility or the urban interface. The ground application can be more accurate and coverage can be more uniform and complete. Another tool in the Fire Managers arsenal.
