Sea water, in theory, could be used to help a fire. But, its salty components can do more harm than good, which is why firefighters typically avoid using it unless absolutely necessary. Salt is corrosive, and it can damage metal equipment, including critical equipment in water dumping planes and fire pumps.

With Southern California ablaze, the lack of water leaves many wondering, why not use ocean water to combat fires?

The recent and still-raging Los Angeles wildfires have prompted some online to wonder: Can we use ocean water to fight fires? While the Pacific Ocean sits adjacent to the city of Los Angeles, several factors render its use in firefighting impractical and even potentially harmful.