A plane drops fire retardant near the Lake Christine wildfire on July 4, 2018, in Basalt, Colo. A federal judge said Friday, May 26, 2023, that chemical retardant dropped on wildfires by the U.S. Forest Service is polluting streams in western states in violation of federal law, but said it can keep being use to fight fires. (Anna Stonehouse/The Aspen Times via AP, File)
May 26, 2023
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May 26, 2023 1:20 p.m.
Judge says fire retardant drops are polluting streams but allows use to continue
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A judge ruled Friday that the U.S. government can keep using chemical retardant to fight wildfires, despite finding that the practice pollutes streams in western states in violation of federal law.