What is red fire retardant or “slurry”?
A. It is a mixture of 85 percent water, 10 percent fertilizer (ammonia phosphate and sulfate ions), and 5 percent minor ingredients (iron oxide for color, clay, or bentonite). It works by coating fuels with moisture and it is dropped from aircraft. It is non-toxic to humans. However, it may be harmful to pets if swallowed (fertilizer poisoning). The slurry may stain, so it should be washed off structures to prevent darkening of colors. See Information on Fire Retardant.
