Forest and vegetation fires are becoming increasingly frequent and intense. They pose a major risk to people and wildlife, but also to forests as an economic factor and, in particular, as storage sites for CO2.
Forests and other vegetation areas are vulnerable ecosystems sensitive to external influences and are worthy of protection. Therefore, it is crucial to develop effective and environmentally friendly firefighting solutions.
BosQRet®, a Dr. Sthamer product, offers a state-of-the-art product line of biodegradable firefighting water additives specifically developed for delaying and stopping fire fronts and flanks in forest and vegetation fires. These retardants open up new tactical options in firefighting and help ensure the safety and protection of people and nature.
Crucially, the formulation of BosQRet® is environmentally friendly. The selection of highly effective yet environmentally friendly ingredients makes BosQRet® a responsible choice for combating wildfires whilst protecting the environment and increasing the effectiveness of firefighting measures.
Specific environmental reports by recognized, independent testing institutes confirm the biodegradability of BosQRet®.
BosQRet® #1801 is a liquid, pre-coloured flame retardant concentrate developed for use by fire services and support units in forest and vegetation firefighting. It can be used as either a wet or dry barrier. This flexibility allows emergency responders to stop the approaching fire front and limit its lateral spread along the flanks. Depending on the terrain and vegetation, flame lengths can be significantly reduced, enabling the active attack on the fire front. By adjusting the active ingredient concentration (proportioning rate) and the characteristics of the barrier, flame progression can even be stopped completely, requiring only a follow-up inspection of the fire area. As a flame retardant, it can also be used preventively to secure areas during landscaping measures or use of counter fires.
The special properties of BosQRet® allow for universal application by ground-based forces. With a low proportion of surface-active components, it can be used effectively at the fire perimeter or as a wetting agent for follow-up extinguishing operation of areas and objects.
The effectiveness of BosQRet® #1801 as a flame retardant develops from a proportioning rate of just 5%. At this concentration, it can be applied as a wet barrier in front of the fire front. Depending on the width of the BosQRet® barrier and the flame length of the fire front, this barrier will not be overrun. The fuel up to the barrier burns down, and the fire is extinguished, allowing for effective control of the fire situation. A further advantage is the possibility of using BosQRet® #1801 as a long-term retardant in the form of a dry barrier. When applied extensively and with a sufficient lead time, the fire front can, depending on the flame length and speed, stop at the dried-up barrier. This opens up new possibilities for tactical planning of firefighting attacks, especially in areas contaminated with munitions, where resource-efficient firefighting without endangering emergency personnel is necessary.
BosQRet® #1801 can be applied on the ground using standard firefighting equipment, but is also compatible with fog nozzle and turbine technologies. Material compatibility for use with external load containers, such as Bambi Buckets, has also been confirmed.
