[PCA] NEWS: Study conclusion: Fire Fighting retardant encourages weeds in grasslands

[Olivia Kwong]

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/03/news/mtregional/news07.txt

*Researchers analyze retardant use*

By JOHN CRAMER of the Missoulian

Fire retardant dropped from aircraft has been found to kill fish, but a
new study on Mount Jumbo suggests it also spreads some species of
noxious weeds across Montana's native grasslands.

The study raises the possibility that the red slurry, while helping to
slow a wildfire's advance, could ultimately worsen grassland fires by
promoting the growth of cheatgrass, one of the most flammable invasive
weeds in the West.

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