Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater. So, when the winds are calm enough, skilled pilots flying planes aptly named Super Scoopers are skimming off 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time and dumping it with high precision on the fires.

Phys.org

United Kingdom

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires. Why using saltwater is typically a last resort

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires − why using saltwater is typically a last resortFirefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater. So, when the winds are calm enough, skilled pilots flying planes aptly named Super Scoopers are skimming off 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time and dumping it with high precision…

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Media Bias/Fact Check

Raw Story

John K. Byrne

Michael Rogers (publisher)

United States

Firefighting planes dump ocean water on LA fires − why saltwater is usually last resort

While the consequences of adding seawater to ecosystems are not yet well understood, we can gain insights on what to expect by considering the effects of sea-level rise.

PBS NewsHour

Washington

District of Columbia

Planes are dumping ocean water to fight the Los Angeles fires. Here's why using saltwater is typically a last resort

This water can be used in emergencies, but fresh water is preferred due to equipment corrosion, soil damage, and logistics.

Esta agua puede ser usada en emergencias, pero el agua dulce es preferida debido a la corrosión de los equipos, daños al suelo y logística.

Sí, el agua salada puede usarse para extinguir incendios forestales

9NEWS Denver

Tegna Inc.

Tegna Inc

Denver

Denver County

Colorado

Yes, salt water can be used to extinguish forest fires

It is not known how long Los Angeles will have enough fresh water for vaccinations, but the Pacific Ocean, which seems to be an inexhaustible source of water, is nearby. However, this water is only used as a last resort, and for good reason.

Nem tudni, meddig lesz elég Los Angelesben az édesvízkészlet az oltásokhoz, viszont közel a kimeríthetetlen vízforrásnak tűnő Csendes-óceán. Azonban ezt a vizet csak a legeslegvégső esetben vetik be, és ennek igencsak jó oka van.

Ha már ekkora a tűz, víz meg alig van, akkor miért nem használnak tengervizet oltásra Los Angelesben?

Heti Világgazdaság

Hungary

If the fire is this big and there is so little water, why aren't they using seawater to put it out in Los Angeles?

In emergencies, dumping ocean water on fires may be the best option. But seawater can have long-term effects on equipment and ecosystems, as a novel coastal experiment shows.

Morning Sun

Pittsburg Publishing LLC

Pittsburg

Crawford County

Kansas

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires − why using saltwater is typically a last resort - The Morning Sun

Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater.So, when the winds are calm enough, skilled pilots flying planes aptly named Super Scoopers are skimming off 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time and dumping it with high precision on the fires.
			 Using seawater to fight fires can sound like a simple solution – the Pacific Ocean has a seemingly …

Science Alert

Australia

Dumping Seawater on LA Fires Is an Experiment Scientists Are Closely Watching

California authorities are overwhelmed with the Los Angeles fires. Now the option of scooping up seawater in the Pacific Ocean with more than 60 aircraft to fight the fires is emerging.

Pemerintah California kewalahan mengatasi kebakaran Los Angeles. Sekarang muncul opsi menciduk air laut di Samudra Pasisik dengan lebih dari 60 pesawat untuk memadamkan kebakaran.

Kewalahan Atasi Kebakaran Los Angeles, Muncul Opsi 60 Pesawat Ciduk Laut Samudra Pasifik

SINDOnews.com

Overwhelmed by Los Angeles Fires, 60 Pacific Ocean Aircraft Considered

Seawater may be plentiful, but its salty drawbacks make it a last resort for battling flames.

ZME Science

Bucharest

Romania

Why firefighters in LA can't use salt water from the ocean to battle wildfires

Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater. So when the winds are calm enough, skilled pilots flying planes aptly named Super Scoopers are skimming off 1,500 gallons of seawater at a time and dumping it with high precision on the fires. Using seawater to fight fires can sound like a simple solution—the Pacific Ocean has a seemingly endles…

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires. Why using saltwater is typically a last resort

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