Yes, saltwater can be used to extinguish wildfires

Ocean water can sometimes be utilized as a last resort to combat wildfires, although using freshwater is preferred due to various reasons like equipment corrosion, soil damage, and logistical challenges.

The death toll is on the rise due to the destructive wildfires in Southern California that have resulted in the loss of more than 10,000 homes and the mandatory evacuation of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Notable fires in the area include the Palisades Fire, which has ravaged about 20,000 acres, and the Eaton Fire, covering close to 14,000 acres. At present, neither of these fires has been brought under control.

One of the primary hurdles in dealing with these fires is the diminishing water supply. The Palisades Fire, in particular, is situated along the California coastline, leading to queries about why firefighters are not utilizing the Pacific Ocean to help douse the flames.

One viral X post with 29 million views asks, “Is there any particular reason why we can’t use ocean water to help put out the fires?” A VERIFY reader also texted us to ask if ocean water can be used to put out fires.

THE QUESTION

Can ocean water be used to fight wildfires?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

This is true.

Yes, ocean water can be used to extinguish wildfires, but there are logistical challenges with using saltwater to battle fires. 

Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts newsletter here

WHAT WE FOUND

Los Angeles firefighters are using specialized water-bombing planes out of Canada to pull water from the Pacific Ocean to help combat the fires currently burning. However, saltwater can be less effective, can corrode equipment and damage the soil where it’s used.

Susan McKelvey, a spokesperson for the National Fire Protection Association, told VERIFY departments that have access to ocean water do use it when extinguishing fires, but on a limited basis due to corrosion. Mónica Muñoz, spokesperson for the San Diego Fire Department, cited corrosion as a reason why they don’t commonly use ocean water.

“It’s not our standard practice to draw from the ocean or bay because of the extreme corrosiveness of salt water. Only in the most extreme circumstances… to protect life, would we draw from a bay or ocean. The water causes damage to our apparatus and helicopter pump systems,” Muñoz told VERIFY.

McKelvey said typically if equipment is used to transport saltwater, it’s flushed with fresh water afterward in order to preserve the quality of the materials. 

Environmental harm is another factor to consider when using saltwater, Technology.org explains. According to a 2015 study on saltwater’s effect on soil when used in fire suppression, soil properties are already altered during and after a wildfire. Seawater adds salts to the soil, further altering its chemical composition. 

The combined impact of the wildfire and the salt from the seawater influences soil health, vegetation recovery and can have long-term effects on the local ecosystem.

Saltwater is also less effective in putting out fires in certain scenarios. Technology.org notes “the presence of salt can reduce the cooling effect of water, making it less efficient at lowering the temperature of the fire.”

Logistical challenges also complicate the use of ocean water. In 2016, Larry Kurtz, captain with the Orange County Fire Authority, described those difficulties to The Orange County Register. 

“If we used seawater for all inland fires, we would have to draw it out of the ocean, transport it by truck to a location, dump it into some kind of portable holding pool, and then draw it into our pumps for use on the fire … As for using seawater for firefighting helicopters or ‘super scooper’ fixed-wing aircraft, the problem is safety,” Kurtz told the newspaper.

He continued, “Our helicopters hover approximately three, four feet above the water’s surface to use its suction hose to draw up water. I’m sure you could imagine what could happen if an extra-large swell or rough wave suddenly struck the side of the aircraft. The lakes and reservoirs are much safer (and for most brush fires, a lot closer) than our Pacific Ocean.”

This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: Sí, el agua salada puede usarse para extinguir incendios forestales

The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More »

Follow Us

Want something VERIFIED?

Text: 202-410-8808

You May Also Like

Opposition Leader Merz set to lead Germany’s next government

Germany’s mainstream conservative party emerged victorious in the national election, while a…

The positive impact of service dogs on veterans’ well-being and mental health

ORLANDO, Fla. – Monday morning on Breakfast with Bridgett, increasing awareness for…

Man in custody after hours-long standoff with 2 children, say Rittman police

The man was taken into custody safely after releasing the children and…

Analysis: ‘Captain America’ Holds Strong in Box Office, ‘The Monkey’ Continues to Boost Neon’s Triumphs

“Captain America: Brave New World” remains No. 1 in its second week…

Colorado vape shop faces multiple break-ins and armed thefts

A Colorado vape shop, Purple Greens Vape and Glass, has been targeted…

Sudanese Military Rescues City from Paramilitary Group Siege

CAIRO – Sudan’s military on Sunday broke a more than yearlong siege…

Insights gained from the German election that will impact the dominant force in the EU

Germany is preparing for its second change of leadership in less than…

Some campuses in Ohio experience internal conflict due to bathroom law affecting transgender students

A private college has published policies saying the school will comply with…

Democratic governors are deciding how to respond to Trump’s threat against one of their colleagues

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s recent disagreement with the governor of Maine…

The rise of “Dark MAGA” as conservatives are influenced by Musk and Trump

OXON HILL, Md. – At an annual gathering of conservative activists, the…

Cleveland Cavaliers ink deal with Javonte Green

In his six NBA seasons with Boston, Chicago and New Orleans, Green…

Police seek man in Tavares child abuse case after mother arrested for leaving son in critical condition

The police in Tavares, Florida, are asking for the public’s help in…