Don’t stop retardant drops, our best defense against wildfires

To the editor: For practically half a century, I’ve led suppression efforts on lots of the state’s largest wildfires, and few sources have confirmed more practical in saving lives, communities and ecosystems than aerial hearth retardant. (“Aerial hearth retardant drops are attacked as ineffective and environmentally dangerous,” March 29)

There are numerous examples (and far knowledge) that confirm this reality, however none extra poignant than the aerial retardant drops made throughout final 12 months’s Route hearth in Los Angeles County by the Fast Response Drive (QRF).

A primary-of-its-kind partnership between hearth companies and Southern California Edison, the QRF is the world’s solely fleet of firefighting helicopters able to dropping retardant at night time. A current cost-benefit evaluation specializing in the Route hearth signifies this saved lives, communities and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer {dollars}.

As wildfires develop into extra prevalent, retardant has by no means been extra essential, and it has no substitute — not water, gasoline breaks or floor crews. Prohibiting its use will hurt forest conservation, threaten endangered species and impede our capability to avoid wasting lives.

Brian Fennessy, Irvine

The author is chief of the Orange County Fireplace Authority.