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October 15. 2014 12:01AM Since You Asked: Water, retardant comprise one-two punch Now that we are all quite concerned about forest fires, it might be a good time to give us some information on how they are fought. If we have the luxury of dropping water or fire retardant on the fire, do they aim for the hot spots or for the leading edge? — No name given It's basically a one-two punch, dear nameless reader. One's a stunning blow, the other is a knockout. Brian Ballou of the Oregon Department of Forestry tells us that retardant drops from air tanker planes are not necessarily meant to extinguish the flames. Rather, it's dumped on the fire's edges to slow the growth, giving crews time to get in place and start making fire lines for full containment. "It's a temporary fire line until it's safe enough to get equipment or people into the same area and build a fire line on the ground," Ballou says. "It's very good at slowing a fire down." Water drops, usually from buckets hanging off helicopters, are intended to be the kill shots for a wildfire's fiercer parts. "Usually that goes on the hottest spots," Ballou says. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.     http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141015/NEWS/141019859 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->