Seven ways to reduce risk of home becoming fuel for a wildfire. (Firewise)
News spreads about dome surviving wildfire
John Belles was interviewed on NPR Morning Edition about his Monolithic Dome that survived the largest wildfire in Washington state history. It’s another in a prolific stream of news articles about the dome. We liked what John told the reporter, “You could build a square house that was nonflammable. There’s lots of advanced materials and whatnot. They still build out of stick, though.”
NPR’s story, Homeowners In Washington Wildfire Country Try To Reduce Risk, they discussed Firewise, a public education campaign to encourage people to build more fire safe homes. Firewise has a wide range of suggestions including the graphic (top) and videos (bottom).
What’s interesting is reading how even tiny sparks can burn a whole house to the ground. From the NPR story:
“People have done a lot to protect their homes. And as you see on this thing, the thing that kicks your butt is the wind,” says Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers. “The wind was blowing so hard a lot of it, it didn’t matter. And then fire would take this home, skip 20 more and take another one.”
It’s hard to tell on first glance if the homes that burned to the ground have common features. They burned so hot, only chimneys, metal parts and foundations remain.
You cannot get prepared at the moment of crisis. Either you are ready or you are not. It’s not about being paranoid. It’s about doing the most with what you have — today — so you are ready when trouble comes tomorrow. Sometimes the best option is grabbing a 72-hour kit (you do have one, don’t you) and running. Other times it means taking a stand and riding out the emergency.
In Texas there are many storms that produce tornadoes. If it’s late and the storm is coming you stay up all night, watching the TV, wondering if it’s your turn for a big emergency. Unless you live in a Monolithic Dome.
Dome owners go to bed.
The difference between hoping for the best verses being truly prepared is the difference between a night of worry versus a good night’s sleep.
It’s our desire that everyone feel that safe.
Related Links
- Monolithic Dome saves man from fire
- Foam: Fire Hazard and Fire Barrier
- Fire destroys contents but Monolithic Dome only needs washing
- Monolithic Dome Survives Texas Wildfire
- Vhista Dome survives forrest fire
- Are Monolithic Domes’ exterior coverings fireproof?
- Monolithic Dome Suffers Slight Scorching In Oklahoma Wildfire
