About the publisher: For nearly half a century I have led suppression efforts at many of the state’s largest wildfires, and few resources have proven more effective in saving lives, communities and ecosystems than suppressing fire from the air. (“Fire-retardant airborne droplets attacked as ineffective and polluting,” March 29)

There are countless examples (and plenty of data) to confirm this truth, but none are more poignant than the air-retardant droplets dropped by the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) during the Los Angeles County Route Fire last year.

QRF, a unique partnership between fire departments and Southern California’s Edison, is the world’s only fleet of nighttime firefighting helicopters. A recent cost-benefit analysis focused on the Route Fire suggests it saved lives, communities and millions of taxpayer dollars.

As wildfires become more common, firefighting has never been more important and there is no replacement, water, fuel cuts or ground crew. Banning their use would harm forest conservation, threaten endangered species and limit our ability to save lives.

Brian Fennessy, Irvine Author is Chief of the Orange County Fire Department.