Firewall II Revolutionary Gel
The US Forest Service and other fire agencies have long used Long Term Retardants (LTRs) as the primary choice for aerial applications. Their principle benefit is for indirect attack, where the contained salts provide fire retarding or slowing capability after all water in the solution has evaporated. However, because a large percentage of all aerial applications are direct attack, the qualitative and economic benefits of LTRs in direct attack are minimal.
Firewall II, a liquid polymer water enhancer has proven to be a superior, cost-effective fire suppressant compared to LTRs, without the damaging environmental affects found in LTRs. Its chemical composition alters the physical characteristics of water by chemically bonding with water molecules, holding large quantities of water in suspension during heat attack, especially in vertical fuels and on smooth surfaces. Its effectiveness is noticeably increased by improved drop accuracy due to less turbulent drift and evaporations losses, thereby delivering more product to the advancing flame front.
Firewall II has passed US Forest Service corrosion tests and is ideally suited for and approved for use in helicopter bucket or fixed tank operations and SEATs. The US Forest Service has also approved its use for "application from multi-engine aircraft for those agencies whose policy permits this use."
How it Works
Firewall II contains ingredients designed to alter the physical characteristics of water by chemically bonding with water molecules, holding water in suspension during heat attack. It is more effective than plain water or foam by providing greater adhesion to fuels especially in vertical vegetation and on smooth surfaces. Its effectiveness is increased by improved drop accuracy due to less turbulent drift and evaporations losses, thereby delivering more product to the advancing flame front, where it is needed the most.
Long-lasting Duration
Firewall II gel increases the amount of water that can be placed and held on the fire perimeter and adjacent fuels. It can absorb and overcome levels of heat attack that water and foam cannot. This is especially critical within the first ten minutes after a direct attack drop. With most fires being fought in the direct attack mode, Firewall II offers increased certainty of knockdown from single applications and the ability to directly take on greater fire intensities that is not possible with water or foam.
