In 2011 Texas experienced around 31,453 fires that burned more than 4 million acres. During that time, 2,947 homes were lost and more than 2,700 other structures were lost or damaged. The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Product Development Center coordinated 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 (TCAT).
TCAT, a center housed within TEES, was responsible for setting up the test and measurement for the wildfire test and reducing and evaluating/analyzing the data. Additionally, TCAT developed the test protocol for the testing and validated it with the Product Development Center and the client.
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.