LONG–TERM RETARDANTS
Long-term fire retardants contain retardant salts (typically fertilizers) that alter the way fire burns, decreasing fire intensity and slowing the advance of a fire, even after the water the retardants originally contained has evaporated. The water these retardants contain serves primarily to aid in dispersing the retardant uniformly over the target area.
Refer to the Long-Term Retardants Fact Sheet
for further information.
Forest Service Specification FS 5100-304d provides the specific requirements for qualifying long-term retardants.
Interim Amendment to Specification 5100-304d
Click a category below for more information
The following links outline information about currently approved long-term retardants, and contact information for the companies that produce them:
Long-Term Retardant Qualified Products List - U.S.D.A Forest Service
Dry Concentrate, Medium Viscosity
Dry Concentrate, Low Viscosity
Wet Concentrate, Low Viscosity
Safety Data Sheets
| Chemical Name | ||
| Phos-Chek MVP-Fx | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek 259-Fx | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek LC-95A-R | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek MVP-F | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek 259-F | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek LC-95A-Fx | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek LC-95A-F | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek LC-95W | Concentrate | Mix |
| Phos-Chek LCE20-Fx | Concentrate | Mix |
| Fortress FR-100 | Concentrate | N/A |
| Fortress FR-105 | Concentrate | N/A |
| Fortress FR-200 | Concentrate | N/A |
Results of additional tests will be posted as they are available.
WFCS tests wildland fire chemicals thoroughly to ensure both human and ecological health and safety. We integrate risk assessments and environmental consultations into our testing and approval processes.
Refer to the following links for more information about using long-term retardants:
The results of the burn testing on comingled products focused on the FR-200 and LC95A-R products (as they have been shown to have the most adverse reaction) results showed no depreciation in combustion retarding performance. We would expect the same results from any of the other product comingling variations. There does not appear to be an issue with respect to expected performance in the field in the event different products are applied (products layered on top of one another) on fuels.
If your company is interested in submitting long-term fire retardants for evaluation, check out our submit a product section.
WFCS must first evaluate and approve long-term fire retardants before they can be used on Federal lands. The process for fully evaluating products can take 18 to 24 months. We list these products on our QPL once we approve them.