Monolithic Dome Survives Texas Wildfire

June 2011: Texas wildfire destroyed 100,000 acres before it was stopped.

June 2011: Texas wildfire destroyed 100,000 acres before it was stopped. (Mike South)

Terrain at the entrance to the McLeod’s property was severely parched.

Terrain at the entrance to the McLeod’s property was severely parched. (Mike South)

An attached greenhouse fueled a fire that blazed up the side of the dome.

An attached greenhouse fueled a fire that blazed up the side of the dome. (Mike South)

High winds blew melted plastic from the greenhouse across the top of the dome in a perfect fan shape.

High winds blew melted plastic from the greenhouse across the top of the dome in a perfect fan shape. (Mike South)

Charred trees surrounded the dome.

Charred trees surrounded the dome. (Mike South)

About an inch of the three-inch layer of foam was damaged.

About an inch of the three-inch layer of foam was damaged. (Mike South)

Only blackened landscape was visible for as far as the eye could see.

Only blackened landscape was visible for as far as the eye could see. (Mike South)

“Ferdinand” scavenges for food on the parched pasture land.

“Ferdinand” scavenges for food on the parched pasture land. (Mike South)

Repair to the dome surface was completed in October 2011.

Repair to the dome surface was completed in October 2011. (Javier Figeuroa)