Fire retardant (red slurry) was dropped on the Stone Canyon and Lake Shore fires. The retardant contains ammonia and can burn if it gets cuts or scratches or comes into contact with cracked or sunburned skin.
Here are some safety tips if you come into contact with the retardant:
* Wash well with water and soft soap to remove all waste, as many fire chemicals dry out the skin.
* After washing, use a hand cream to minimize dryness and cracking.
Structures (wood/metal):
* The red color of retardants comes from iron rust (rust), which can be difficult to remove.
* Some of these products can discolor the metal, so you should wash the retardant as soon as possible.
* Moisture a stained surface with water and then rub with a wet brush of hard bristles dipped in borax.
* Avoid hydro washers, as they can cause red dye to penetrate the wood surface and, in general, should be avoided.
* Restrict the use of water to avoid the formation of puddles that can be attractive to pets.
* Avoid leaving puddles of water stagnant using absorbent materials, such as sand, soil or other materials.
Vegetation:
* Rinse the vegetation retardant. Use absorbent materials, such as sand, soil, or other materials, to avoid leaving puddles of water stagnant.
* Burns can occur on the leaves, as retardants contain levels of fertilizer higher than those usually sold in garden shops, which causes vegetation and plants to appear dead after contact. However, they usually recover and regrow, usually within a month or two.
* As with any garden product, wash fruits and vegetables well before using them.
Pets and other animals:
* Wash well with shampoo, as many of the products dry the skin a lot.
* Use materials that effectively absorb puddles after washing with shampoo or in areas where animals can access. Materials such as sand, soil or other absorbent should be used in any stagnant water or ponds.
* Avoid water intake: keep animals out of puddles.
* If your pet seems sick after drinking from puddles or stagnant water, make sure your vet knows that the animal may have ingested a fertilizer-based product.
For more information, including maps, please visit: www.boulderodm.gov.
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