Returning to a pink home? Cal Fire has these tips for Tenaja fire evacuees in Murrieta

So you’ve returned home after evacuating the Tenaja fire, and your house and your car are now pink.

The fire retardant that was dropped from airplanes ahead of the flames is coating practically everything, and now it’s time to get rid of it.

Cal Fire says the retardant — 88% water and 12% ammonium phosphate, plus gum thickeners, flow conditioner and red coloring — can be easily removed before it dries. So time is of the essence.

If it dries, the thickener can hold tightly to surfaces and the coloring can stain some surfaces.

Cal Fire recommends using water to dissolve the retardant. A mild soap or detergent can help. If the retardant has dried, try scrubbing or power-washing the surfaces.

We often get asked questions regarding the fie retardant being dropped by air tankers. CAL FIRE’s Fire Retardant FAQ sheet provides valuable information about fire retardant, what it is and how to clean it up if necessary. https://t.co/k79fgzlwiJ pic.twitter.com/HJZ2tJOw3S

— CAL FIRE Riverside (@CALFIRERRU) September 6, 2019

Here are some other facts from Cal Fire about the retardant:

• Contact with retardant could result in skin irritation. It should be washed off with soap and water. Clothes should be washed before reuse.

• There are no known side effects for domestic or farm animals. Consult your veterinarian should your pet consume a significant amount of coated vegetation.

• Puddles contaminated by retardant should be filled in with sand or dirt.

• The ammonium phosphate, commonly found in fertilizer, provides nutrients to plants.