In a letter dated July 30th, 2024, eight U.S. Senators have raised questions regarding the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) approval process for new fire retardants, as reported by Aerial Fire Magazine.
This inquiry follows industry concerns after a new product added to the Qualified Products List (QPL) in May 2023 showed signs of corrosion during the Integrated Operational Field Evaluation (I-OFE).
The Senators, including Daines, Wyden, Barrasso, Risch, Lee, Heinrich, Lummis, and Merkely, have set an August 19, 2024, deadline for Under Secretary Homer Wilkes to respond to several questions about the USFS’s testing and approval procedures for fire retardants.
The new fire retardant, which was the first to be added to the QPL in over two decades, underwent the I-OFE starting in the 2023 wildfire season.
However, by March 2024, inspections revealed significant corrosion on two air tankers used in the evaluation process.
This discovery led to the halting of the I-OFE and the involvement of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for an independent assessment.
The Senators emphasized the importance of ensuring that the introduction of new fire retardants does not compromise firefighter safety or damage essential firefighting equipment.
They requested details on the anticipated timeline for the independent assessment and whether the USFS would prioritize implementing any recommended changes to its qualification protocols.
The letter also inquired about other steps the USFS is taking to improve the evaluation process for new fire retardants to prevent future issues.
The Senators asked if there are any additional non-fully qualified fire retardants awaiting field testing and whether these would be used before the results of the NTSB and NIST investigations are released and implemented.
The Senators expressed their support for the USFS’s efforts to secure new fire retardants but stressed the need for a commitment to safety and rigorous testing.
Under Secretary Wilkes has been given a deadline of August 19, 2024, to provide responses to the Senators’ questions.
The outcome of this inquiry could influence future fire retardant approval processes and ensure the safety of both firefighters and equipment.
On July 30th, 2024, eight U.S. Senators questioned the USFS’s approval process for new fire retardants after a product added to the QPL showed signs of corrosion during field testing.
The Senators requested answers from Under Secretary Homer Wilkes by August 19, 2024, regarding the timeline for an independent assessment by the NTSB and NIST, potential changes to qualification protocols, and steps to improve future evaluations.
The Senators stressed the need for safety and thorough testing in the approval of fire retardants.
