[1960s LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT VS. WILDFIRE FIREBRAKE RETARDANT DROPS]

Year Published: 1960s

Color: Color

Sound: silent

Description: The silent footage from the 1960s captures a large wildfire and the response efforts by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, showcasing the use of fixed-wing aircraft in firefighting. Key highlights include the preparation and air dropping of a zinc borate flame retardant product called Firebrake®, which was introduced by U.S. Borax and is still in use today. The film features various aircraft, including Grumman TBM Avengers and a Consolidated PBY Flying Boat, as they conduct water and Firebrake drops. Additionally, it depicts ground crews handling the product without respiratory safety gear, and concludes with scenes of community gratitude and air evacuations.