The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have led many to wonder why firefighters don’t use ocean water to combat the flames, especially given the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean. While it might seem like a straightforward solution, several factors make the use of seawater challenging.
Environmental Concerns: Using seawater can harm the environment. The salt in seawater can damage soil, making it less fertile and harming plants that aren’t used to high salt levels. This could lead to long-term negative effects on the local ecosystem.
Equipment Limitations: Most firefighting equipment is designed to use freshwater. The salt in seawater can corrode hoses, pumps, and other tools, reducing their effectiveness and lifespan. Additionally, only a few firefighting aircraft are equipped to collect and use seawater, limiting its practical application.
Operational Challenges: Transporting large amounts of seawater to inland fire locations is logistically difficult. The process would require significant resources and coordination, which can be challenging during fast-moving wildfires.
Given these challenges, firefighters typically rely on traditional water sources and other established methods to combat wildfires, even when the ocean is nearby.
Source: news.com.au
