Why doesn't California use ocean water to put out fires even though it's available?

Arab Weather - California faces a major challenge in combating the raging fires that recur annually, destroying thousands of buildings and green spaces. With the ongoing fresh water scarcity crisis, some are wondering why the state is not exploiting its abundant Pacific Ocean water resources to extinguish these fires.

Water Fire Extinguishing Mechanism: How Does It Work?

To extinguish a fire, one of the elements of the “fire triangle” must be disabled: heat, fuel, or oxygen. Water reduces heat by absorbing thermal energy and converting it into steam. In addition, water reduces the oxygen available around the fire, which helps extinguish it.

In theory, saltwater can perform the same function as freshwater in cooling and cutting off the oxygen supply, but several factors make its use uncommon.

Why is ocean water not used to put out fires?

Although ocean water is abundant, its use in firefighting faces many obstacles, including:

rapid wear of equipment

Salt water contains high levels of salts that corrode metals, damaging equipment used in firefighting, such as pumps, hoses, and aircraft. This reduces the life of the equipment and requires ongoing and expensive maintenance.

Environmental damage

When salt water is used to extinguish fires, the salt seeps into the soil and plants, leading to soil salinity. This phenomenon affects the ability of plants to absorb water and leads to the destruction of vegetation.

Technical and infrastructure limitations

Most firefighting systems are designed to use fresh water. Converting these systems to use salt water would require developing new corrosion-resistant equipment, which is currently expensive and impractical.

Less cooling efficiency

Salt water is less efficient at absorbing heat than fresh water due to the concentration of salts, which reduces its effectiveness in reducing the temperatures surrounding the fire.

Safety Hazards

Salt water is a good conductor of electricity, making it dangerous when used in fire locations that involve electrical equipment or power lines, where it can increase the risk of electrical shock to firefighters.

Can saline water be used in some cases?

In extreme emergencies, saltwater can be a temporary option, especially in coastal cities. However, its use requires equipment specifically designed to resist corrosion, making it less practical than freshwater.

Long-term environmental impacts

Using saltwater can lead to long-term environmental problems, including:

• Soil salinity: Salt makes soil unsuitable for agriculture and reduces its ability to support plants.
• Harm to plants: Salt affects the ability of plants to absorb water, which leads to their death.

Although ocean water is abundant, its use for firefighting in California faces significant challenges related to the environment, equipment, and efficiency. Freshwater remains the preferred option due to its high efficiency and limited environmental impact, while saltwater is a backup solution that requires special equipment and suitable conditions.

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