What is an effective strategy to mitigate hazardous material runoff during firefighting?

Implementing containment measures is an effective strategy to mitigate hazardous material runoff during firefighting because it focuses on preventing the spread of hazardous substances beyond the immediate area. Containment measures can include the use of berms, dikes, or absorbent materials that effectively trap and hold the hazardous materials, preventing them from entering water sources or surrounding environments. This approach is critical in ensuring that contaminants do not spread and potentially harm ecosystems, public health, or increase the complexity of the firefighting operation.

Using fireproof barriers, while potentially useful in specific situations to protect certain areas from fire, does not directly address the management of hazardous materials. Similarly, diluting chemicals with more water could inadvertently create larger volumes of hazardous runoff, which can complicate cleanup efforts and pose additional environmental risks. Conducting controlled burns would also not contribute to runoff mitigation and may instead exacerbate the issue by releasing more materials into the environment.

Overall, containment measures are the most directly applicable and efficient strategy when managing hazardous materials during firefighting incidents.