Field quality control of fire retardant chemicals.

In recent years, when sizable wildfires have frequently broken out in many sections of the country, the nationwide annual use of fire retardant chemicals has been as high as 25 million gallons. The bill could be as high as $8.75 million. Some studies indicate that product cost may account for about half of the total cost of applying a gallon of retardant on a fire. This dollar magnitude highlights the need for careful management and adequate quality control to assure that the retardant program is cost effective. The material in this NWCG guide provides a framework for field personnel to establish and operate an informal and inexpensive chemistry laboratory at locations where retardant chemicals are mixed for either aerial or ground application. By obtaining the specified equipment and following the directions in this guide, the quality of mixed retardant chemicals (slurries) can be checked and verified. By taking the corrective actions that are given, the viscosity, salt content, or specific weight of a slurry that is not within established ranges can almost always be brought back to specification levels