Saturday, May 2, 2026
Health - LEVEL2

Seawater Dumped on LA Fires: Scientists Monitor Impact

By aimee yang
Seawater Dumped on LA Fires: Scientists Monitor Impact

In January 2025, firefighters in Los Angeles struggled to fight wildfires due to a shortage of freshwater. Skilled pilots in Super Scoopers planes collected seawater and dumped it on the fires with precision. While using seawater may seem like a quick solution, it can harm ecosystems and damage firefighting equipment.

Research on coastal forests exposed to salty water from sea-level rise shows that prolonged exposure can harm trees and change soil composition. In a study called TEMPEST, scientists saw trees react negatively to salty water over time.

Sea-level rise is a growing concern globally, causing more saltwater exposure in coastal areas. While seawater can help fight fires, freshwater sources are preferred when available to avoid potential risks.

By Patrick Megonigal, Associate Director of Research, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution

This article was originally published on The Conversation and is shared under a Creative Commons license.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Wildfires/ˈwaɪldˌfaɪərz/noun
Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation.

Freshwater/ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtər/noun
Water that is not salty commonly found in rivers and lakes.

Ecosystems/ˌiː.kəˈsɪs.təmz/noun
Communities of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.

Prolonged/prəˈlɔːŋd/adjective
Extended in duration; lasting longer than usual.

Composition/ˌkɒm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/noun
The nature of something’s ingredients or constituents; a mixture.

Exposure/ɪkˈspoʊʒər/noun
The state of being subjected to something such as environmental conditions.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

In what year did firefighters in Los Angeles struggle to fight wildfires due to a shortage of freshwater?
2020
2025
2030
2040
What type of planes did skilled pilots use to collect and dump seawater on the fires?
Jetliners
Super Scoopers
Helicopters
Propeller planes
What negative impact can using seawater for firefighting have according to the text?
It attracts more wildlife to the fires
It accelerates the spread of fires
It harms ecosystems and damages firefighting equipment
It helps in controlling the fires efficiently
What is the name of the study where scientists observed trees reacting negatively to salty water over time?
OCEAN
TEMPEST
SEAFLOW
AQUASPHERE
Which environmental center is the author affiliated with?
National Geographic Society
World Wildlife Fund
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Greenpeace
What is the preferred water source for firefighting mentioned in the text?
Rainwater
Seawater
Freshwater
Underground water
Using seawater for firefighting can result in harm to ecosystems and damage to firefighting equipment.
Prolonged exposure to salty water from sea-level rise has been proven to have no negative effects on trees.
Sea-level rise is not a global concern according to the text.
Freshwater sources are not preferred for firefighting whenever available.
The author of the article is the Director of Research at The Conservation.
TEMPEST is a study that observed trees reacting positively to salty water exposure.
In January 2025, firefighters in Los Angeles struggled to fight wildfires due to a shortage of .
Skilled pilots in Super Scoopers planes collected and dumped it on the fires with precision.
Research on coastal forests exposed to salty water from sea-level rise shows that prolonged exposure can harm trees and change composition.
Sea-level rise is a growing concern globally, causing more saltwater exposure in coastal .
While seawater can help fight fires, sources are preferred when available to avoid potential risks.
Megonigal is the Associate Director of Research at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Wildfires/ˈwaɪldˌfaɪərz/noun
Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation.
Freshwater/ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtər/noun
Water that is not salty commonly found in rivers and lakes.
Ecosystems/ˌiː.kəˈsɪs.təmz/noun
Communities of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.
Prolonged/prəˈlɔːŋd/adjective
Extended in duration; lasting longer than usual.
Composition/ˌkɒm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/noun
The nature of something’s ingredients or constituents; a mixture.
Exposure/ɪkˈspoʊʒər/noun
The state of being subjected to something such as environmental conditions.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

In what year did firefighters in Los Angeles struggle to fight wildfires due to a shortage of freshwater?
2020
2025
2030
2040
What type of planes did skilled pilots use to collect and dump seawater on the fires?
Jetliners
Super Scoopers
Helicopters
Propeller planes
What negative impact can using seawater for firefighting have according to the text?
It attracts more wildlife to the fires
It accelerates the spread of fires
It harms ecosystems and damages firefighting equipment
It helps in controlling the fires efficiently
What is the name of the study where scientists observed trees reacting negatively to salty water over time?
OCEAN
TEMPEST
SEAFLOW
AQUASPHERE
Which environmental center is the author affiliated with?
National Geographic Society
World Wildlife Fund
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Greenpeace
What is the preferred water source for firefighting mentioned in the text?
Rainwater
Seawater
Freshwater
Underground water
Using seawater for firefighting can result in harm to ecosystems and damage to firefighting equipment.
Prolonged exposure to salty water from sea-level rise has been proven to have no negative effects on trees.
Sea-level rise is not a global concern according to the text.
Freshwater sources are not preferred for firefighting whenever available.
The author of the article is the Director of Research at The Conservation.
TEMPEST is a study that observed trees reacting positively to salty water exposure.
In January 2025, firefighters in Los Angeles struggled to fight wildfires due to a shortage of .
Skilled pilots in Super Scoopers planes collected and dumped it on the fires with precision.
Research on coastal forests exposed to salty water from sea-level rise shows that prolonged exposure can harm trees and change composition.
Sea-level rise is a growing concern globally, causing more saltwater exposure in coastal .
While seawater can help fight fires, sources are preferred when available to avoid potential risks.
Megonigal is the Associate Director of Research at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
This question is required

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