Over the last one hundred and fifty years we have seen the development of a range of approaches to deal with bushfires in Australia and New Zealand. With few large natural water sources available in most bushfire-prone areas, particularly in Australia, techniques have developed that are generally categorized as 'dry firefighting'.

Techniques have also been developed to make what water is available, more effective. Chemicals are added to water to provide a residual protection from fire (retardants) or to increase the surface area of the water (foams) or to increase the water’s boiling temperature (gels). These chemicals are effective when delivered from the ground or from the air.

For a number of years the AFAC has maintained the position that only fire retardants approved for use by the United States’ Department of Agriculture would be recommended for use by member agencies in Australia and New Zealand. The USDA maintains a very comprehensive laboratory and field based testing capability, and it is well placed to evaluate relevant tests conducted by various manufactures. It also maintains a website that deals with a range of matters related to the use of chemicals in fire suppression. The site includes an up to date listing of ‘qualified’ and ‘approved’ products.

AFAC supports the use of chemicals in bush firefighting that have been accredited under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildland Fire Chemical System, or equivalent, subject to the additional provisions below:

1.Products granted “Administrative Approval” though the USDA Wildland Fire Chemical System may be utilised, subject to:
a. any local requirements (i.e. National, State, Territory or Agency requirements regarding use of chemicals); and
b.the same (or locally equivalent) conditions that are applied in the U.S. (for example: the requirement to conform with a Work Plan, if specified); and
c.the use is in accordance with an agency or Bushfire CRC product evaluation program which provides for the use to be recorded and evaluated.

2. Products granted “Conditional Approval” through the USDA Wildland Fire Chemical System may be utilised, subject to
a. any local requirements; and
b. the same (or locally equivalent) conditions that are applied in the U.S. (which will normally limit use to field evaluations and trials).

Related Documents

ANZ Qualified Products List for Firefighting Chemicals

Chemicals in bushfire control memo to CEO's
Fire Note 1 Using chemicals in firefighting operations December 2005