Not All Fire Retardants Are the Same

Why Komodo Is a Better Choice for Wildfire Spray Services in California

Breadcrumb: Insights, Wildfire Science, Fire Retardants, California Wildfires

Author: Jim Sprouse, Co-founder of Ember Pro, BS in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College, Certified Wildfire Defense Specialist
Expert Review: Ryan Kresan, COO and Co-founder, Ember Pro
Published: Current
Reading Time: Approximately 8 minutes

Introduction

As wildfire risk continues to escalate across California, more homeowners, HOAs, and commercial property owners are turning to wildfire spray services as part of a layered defense strategy. Fire retardants are increasingly applied to vegetation, ground cover, and vulnerable areas around structures to reduce ignition risk during fire events.

But one critical truth is often overlooked.

Not all fire retardants are the same.

The choice of retardant matters not only for fire performance, but also for environmental impact, soil health, water quality, and long-term safety. Independent research now confirms that some commonly used wildfire retardants introduce significant levels of heavy metals into the environment, while safer alternatives exist.

This is why Ember Pro uses Komodo for our wildfire spray service.

Why Retardant Selection Matters
The USC Study on Metals in Fire Retardants
Quantifying the Difference
Why Metals in Retardants Matter
Komodo’s Formulation and Safety Profile
Performance in Real California Conditions
Why Ember Pro Uses Komodo
Retardant and Defensible Space Working Together
Applications for Homes, HOAs, and Commercial Properties
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Call to Action
Related Articles

Why Retardant Selection Matters in Wildfire Defense

Wildfire spray services are designed to protect defensible space, Zone 0, and surrounding vegetation when conditions indicate elevated fire risk. These applications are commonly made:

Around homes in the Wildland Urban Interface
Within five feet of structures, now defined as Zone 0 under AB 3074
On landscaped areas, slopes, and fuel corridors
In residential neighborhoods, HOAs, and commercial sites

Because these products are applied directly to the ground and vegetation, what is in the retardant matters just as much as what it does.

A product that reduces ignition risk but introduces harmful contaminants can create long-term environmental consequences that are not immediately visible.

The USC Study on Metals in Fire Retardants

The University of Southern California published an independent study examining metal concentrations in wildfire fire suppression products approved for land and aerial application.

The study evaluated toxic metal content and estimated cumulative environmental loading across the western United States. Its findings were significant.

What the Study Found

The USC study measured parts per billion concentrations of multiple metals and compared them against California Soluble Threshold Limit Concentrations, which define levels above which materials may be classified as hazardous waste.

Key findings included:

A widely used retardant exceeded California thresholds for Chromium, Cadmium, and Vanadium
Metal concentrations reached up to 14 times greater than regulatory limits
Over a 12-year period, an estimated 380,000 kilograms of metals were released into the environment through aerial fire suppression

By contrast, Komodo fire retardant contained dramatically lower concentrations of all metals tested, with reductions exceeding 99 percent in several categories.

Quantifying the Difference, Komodo vs Conventional Retardants

The USC study provides clear side-by-side data.

Chromium
Threshold limit: 5,000 ppb
Conventional retardant: 72,700 ppb
Komodo: 600 ppb

Cadmium
Threshold limit: 1,000 ppb
Conventional retardant: 14,400 ppb
Komodo: 96 ppb

Vanadium
Threshold limit: 24,000 ppb
Conventional retardant: 119,000 ppb
Komodo: 870 ppb

Across multiple hazardous elements, Komodo demonstrated reductions ranging from 26 times to more than 150 times lower metal concentrations, depending on the element measured.

For homeowners and communities concerned about soil health, groundwater, pets, pollinators, and long-term land use, this difference is material, not theoretical.

Why Metals in Retardants Matter

Heavy metals introduced into soil and vegetation do not disappear after application.

Potential impacts include:

Long-term soil contamination
Uptake into plants and landscaping
Transport into waterways through runoff
Bioaccumulation in insects, birds, and mammals
Increased exposure risk for children, pets, and maintenance workers

When wildfire spray services are applied repeatedly over time, cumulative exposure becomes increasingly important. Selecting a low-metal retardant is one of the most effective ways to reduce unintended environmental harm while still achieving fire protection.

Komodo’s Formulation and Safety Profile

Komodo K500C is a plant-based, water-based fire retardant formulated specifically for ground application and vegetation treatment.

According to its safety data sheet and technical documentation:

It is non toxic and non hazardous
It does not meet OSHA hazardous substance definitions
It contains no chemicals listed under California Proposition 65
It is safe for use around people, pets, wildlife, and pollinators
It is USDA Forest Service tested and approved for ground application
It is QPL listed under Forest Service Specification 5100 304d

These characteristics make Komodo well suited for residential neighborhoods, HOAs, and commercial landscapes.

Performance Matters Too, Longevity and Weather Resistance

Environmental safety alone is not enough. A wildfire retardant must perform under real California conditions.

Resistance to Rain and Precipitation

Komodo can withstand up to four inches of water or precipitation before being washed away. This allows it to remain effective through:

Light to moderate rain events
Coastal fog and marine layer moisture
Irrigation cycles

Stability in Sunlight

Unlike products that degrade under ultraviolet exposure, Komodo does not break down in sunlight. The application remains effective until physically removed by water.

For Ember Pro spray services, this means protection stays in place until nature washes it away.

Why Ember Pro Uses Komodo for Spray Services

Ember Pro’s approach to wildfire defense is layered and evidence based. When selecting a retardant, we evaluated:

Fire performance
Environmental impact
Durability and persistence
Compatibility with defensible space and Zone 0 strategies
Safety for homes, HOAs, and commercial properties

Komodo stood out as the clear choice. It aligns with our commitment to protecting structures, reducing environmental harm, supporting community immunity, and meeting evolving California regulations including AB 3074.

Retardant and Defensible Space Working Together

Retardant is not a substitute for defensible space or home hardening. It reinforces them.

Komodo spray services are most effective when combined with:

Proper vegetation management
Zone 0 compliance within five feet of structures
Ember resistant construction and maintenance
Wildfire defense systems for structure protection

This layered strategy addresses ignition risk from the ground to the structure.

Applications for Homes, HOAs, and Commercial Properties

Because of its safety profile and durability, Komodo is well suited for:

Single family homes in wildfire prone areas
HOA maintained common areas
Slopes and perimeter buffers
Commercial properties with landscaped grounds
Neighborhood scale spray services focused on community immunity

For HOAs and grouped properties, this enables coordinated protection without introducing unnecessary environmental risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Komodo safe for pets and wildlife?
Yes. It is non toxic and approved for ground application.
Does Komodo contain heavy metals?
Trace amounts were detected, but at levels over 99 percent lower than conventional retardants.
How long does Komodo last after application?
Until it is washed away by significant precipitation.
Does sunlight degrade Komodo?
No. It remains stable under ultraviolet exposure.
Is Komodo approved for use in California?
Yes. It meets USDA Forest Service and California requirements.
Can Komodo be used near homes?
Yes. It is designed for residential and community use.
Does Komodo replace defensible space work?
No. It complements defensible space and Zone 0 compliance.
How often should spray services be applied?
Typically two to three times per year and after heavy rain.
Is Komodo used in Ember Pro systems?
Yes. Ember Pro uses Komodo for its wildfire spray service.
Why not rely on traditional aerial retardants?
Ground applied, low metal retardants reduce environmental impact and target ignition risk more precisely.

References

University of Southern California
Metal Content in Wildfire Fire Suppression Products Approved for Land and Aerial Application

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Qualified Products List for Ground Applied Fire Retardants, Specification 5100 304d

Komodo Fire Solutions
Komodo Perimeter K500C Technical Data Sheet

Komodo Fire Solutions
Komodo K500C Safety Data Sheet

California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Soluble Threshold Limit Concentrations

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Defensible Space and Wildland Urban Interface Guidelines

California Assembly Bill 3074
Fire Prevention, Wildfire Risk, Defensible Space, Ember Resistant Zones

Ember Pro
Wildfire Spray Service Program Overview

Call to Action

If you are considering wildfire spray services and want a solution that protects your property without compromising environmental safety, Ember Pro can help.

Schedule a free wildfire risk and spray service consultation to learn how Komodo fits into a layered wildfire defense strategy.

Understanding Zone 0 and the Five Feet That Matter Most
Why Water Alone Will Not Save Your Home from Wildfire
Neighborhood Scale Fire Protection and Community Immunity