WATER ENHANCERS
Water enhancers or gels contain ingredients designed to alter the physical characteristics of water to increase effectiveness, accuracy of a drop, or adhesion to fuels. They also improve the ability of water to cling to vertical and smooth surfaces. Water enhancers depend on the water they contain to suppress fire. Once the water has evaporated the product is not effective. This makes them well suited for direct attack or short-duration indirect attack
The WFCS Water Enhancers Fact Sheet
provides an in depth description of water enhancers.
Forest Service Specification FS 5100-306b provides the specific requirements for qualifying water enhancers. Specification amended on November 16th 2023 to add additional Unacceptable Ingredients, see section 3.4.1
Click a category below for more information
Water Enhancer – Uncolored
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:
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.