Los Angeles Firefighters Turn to Ocean Water as Wildfires Deplete Freshwater Supplies

Saltwater is being used as a last resort to combat severe wildfires, despite risks to equipment and ecosystems.

Firefighters in Los Angeles are using ocean water to battle wildfires after freshwater supplies ran low during an exceptionally dry year.
Specialized aircraft, known as Super Scoopers, have been deployed to collect and drop thousands of gallons of seawater on the fires.
Saltwater use poses challenges, including corrosion of firefighting equipment and potential long-term harm to local ecosystems unaccustomed to high salinity.
Research highlights that saltwater exposure can alter soil chemistry and damage vegetation, with effects that may persist for years in drought-stricken areas.
The unprecedented reliance on ocean water underscores the severity of the wildfires and the growing impact of climate change on firefighting strategies.