Finding Shelter From the Firestorm

How to protect your home from the dangers of wildland fires

The content of this page will develop based on input and questions from homeowners who visit this site and take the time to send me a message, but for now let me offer you three suggestions.

The first is conventional: visit the Firewise website and pay attention to what they have to say. They are currently the single best source for conventional wisdom on how to protect your home from the dangers of wildland fire.

The second suggestion is magical, or at least it always seems that way to me.

Take the time to read the Barricade Fire Blocking Gel Product Review, and then contact the company (their website and phone numbers are at the end of the product review) to get more information about this truly magical stuff.

Let me assert once again: I don't get paid anything to promote Barricade Fire Blocking Gel.

I recommend it highly, even intensely, because I am completely convinced, based on first-hand experiences and extensive interviews, that the proper use of Barricade Gel can protect ANY home or other structure from ANY and ALL wildland fire damage, including the often forgotten about smoke damage, short of something like a burning tree falling on it.

It's fair to ask, "If Barricade Gel is so great why isn't it always used to save structures from being destroyed by wildfires?"

I believe there are two reasons why Barricade isn't used more often.

The first is economic. The stuff is not cheap. Almost all fire departments and fire management agencies are working on woefully inadequate budgets. They simply can't afford to buy Barricade Gel and have it sit around waiting for that maybe once-in-a-season emergency.

The second reason Barricade Gel is not standard issue is because it is relatively new and provides a limited-use solution. Limited in the sense that it would be a major waste to use it in general wildfire suppression. Water, foam and retardant are more cost effective. Where Barricade really stands out is in structure (or expensive vegetation) protection from direct flame and smoke attack. NOTHING can protect better than Barricade short of divine intervention.

The third suggestion is just plain blunt: If you think local, state or federal firefighters can definitely protect your home from a firestorm then you don't understand the problem. Read some of my articles about wildfire in the urban interface. If you live in an interface area then the same thing can definitely happen to you. All it takes is the right set of conditions.

I believe you have the power to save your home from wildfire damage. Use that power by following the building and landscaping suggestions on the Firewise website, and then get yourself a Barricade Gel kit and make sure you know how to use it.

If you have any questions, ideas or suggestions please let me know by sending me an email or using the Submit Story link at the top of this page.

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