Wildfire suppressant set for testing near Smithville

In 2011 Texas experienced around 31,453 fires that burned over 4 million acres. During that time, 2,947 homes were lost and over 2,700 other structures were lost or damaged. The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Product Development Center is coordinating the testing of a product, called TetraKO, in partnership with the Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s (TEES) Texas Center for Applied Technology.

TetraKO is the only EPA-approved, designed for the environment, fire suppressant. The test will evaluate this new, high-impact, water efficient fire chemical for use in the State of Texas. TEEX conducted the first phase of testing in College Station in 2013, determining TetraKO’s compatibility with fire apparatus on the ground and during aerial application. This second phase of testing will evaluate the product’s ability to retard a fire’s progress during a wildfire scenario.

“This is an exciting opportunity for three Texas A&M University System members to work together to find new solutions for wildfires in Texas, U.S. and the world, “said Caleb Holt, TEEX Product Development Center Manager.

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About The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
TEEX makes a difference by providing training, developing practical solutions and saving lives. World renowned for its hands-on, customized training, TEEX offers a wide range of technical and skills training programs aimed at employed workers and those entering the labor force. TEEX provides training and technical assistance to people from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and 79 countries TEEX is also the sponsoring agency for Texas Task Force 1.