Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires. 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.

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

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 …

Why seawater is used as a last resort to fight 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…

'Super Scoopers' dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires: Why using saltwater is typically a last resort

Firefighters battling the deadly wildfires that raced through the Los Angeles area in January 2025 have been hampered by a limited supply of freshwater. The post ‘Super Scoopers’ dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires: Why using saltwater is typically a last resort appeared first on Study Finds.

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

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

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