Patrick Megonigal

Associate Director of Research, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution

Patrick Megonigal

While ocean water can help fight fires, there are reasons fire officials prefer freshwater sources — provided freshwater is available.

Natural Disasters

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires — why using saltwater is typically a last resort

Patrick Megonigal

14 Jan 2025

3 min read