The bright substance blanketing areas of Los Angeles County has long been used to stop wildfires from spreading.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Reeling from destructive wildfires, including the deadliest in California history, state lawmakers ...

The vibrant red fire retardant is known as Phos-Chek and has ... a fire threatens "life or property" and "the risk of damage to natural resources outweighs the risk of impacts to aquatic life ...

Crews battling the deadly Los Angeles wildfires have been dropping a bright pink fire retardant across the city ahead of the advancing flames – leaving some wondering what the substance is ...

Besides Cal Fire, multiple agencies have dropped fire retardant and water, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Los Angeles and Ventura county fire departments, the city and the National Guard.

A plane drops pink flame retardant during the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, California on Monday (Jan. 13). | Credit: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images Pink fire retardant is raining from ...

Strong winds can make it too dangerous to fly at the low altitudes needed for drops and can dissipate the retardant before it hits the ground. Besides Cal Fire, multiple agencies have dropped fire ...

The U.S. Forest Service bans the use of long-term fire retardant on federal lands near waterways or endangered species habitats.