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Protect your Home and Property from Wildfires
Hollywood celebrity Suzanne Somers, who made her claim to fame appearing on the show “Three’s Company” in the 1970’s and her game show host husband Alan Hamel are two names out of a vast number of people who have suffered the tragic loss of their home due to advancing wildfire. In January of 2007 in Malibu, California, Somers, who later also became renowned for her exercise products, lost one of four homes consumed by this wildfire. Another Malibu resident who lost their home was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The fire was wind-driven to the multi-million dollar neighborhood inhabited by many stars such as Pierce Brosnan and Mel Gibson. Approximately 150 firefighters arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The National Weather Service issued a warning due to strong wind and low humidity for the southern portion of California. Though this fire damage may catch abundant attention due to the celebrities involved, this is just one of many. Malibu had previously been the scene for ravaging fires as in 1993 when it destroyed several hundred homes, taking the lives of three people. More recently, in late May of this year, a wildfire swept through the Santa Cruz mountains of California, destroying at least 17 homes, forcing nearly 2,000 residents from the area. Only a few weeks later, in mid-June, another wildfire hit the same area of California growing to over 700 acres and threatening another several hundred homes. About 500 residents were forced from their homes while another 1,000 were encouraged to evacuate. South of the area, the state’s biggest fire swept over 17,000 acres. According to the Union Tribune, “Flames destroyed 32 homes in Stockton…and 21 homes in Palermo.”4 Dana Price, a resident who was evacuated stated, “The sad thing is, as you're evacuating, you're walking around your house thinking, this might be the last time I see this picture, this might be the last time I'm doing this. It's really kind of sad. It's almost like saying goodbye.”4 While no one but God Himself can control the advancement of a spreading wildfire, there is at least one product that can help minimize the damage it causes. Homeowners in California, Montana, and South Dakota have successfully applied Barricade Fire Gel to their homes ahead of approaching flames and have saved their homes as a result. By applying the gel to their homes and property 24 hours before flames reach the area, hundreds have been saved which would have otherwise been destroyed. In the case of Somers and Hamel, the warning issued should have given them adequate time to prevent the damage incurred. The gel is then simply removed from the house by washing with water. In an interview following the Malibu fires of 2007, Attorney George Roland, also suffering the loss of his home, stated, “I think they did a great job, the fire people. What can you do?”1 Perhaps now we have a fitting answer to Attorney Roland’s question. The first response to warnings of advancing fires should be to apply Barricade Fire Gel to your property and exterior of your home, of course leaving yourself plenty of time to evacuate the area. Following the loss suffered in Malibu, County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman stated that, "Anything that was down there that could burn, did burn.”2 Ensure that your home is one of those things that cannot burn. Homeowners should take special care of woods, brush, or any natural material near their house that is combustible. With Barricade Fire Gel, it is possible to protect your home from the ominous threat of a wildfire. Preserve not only the walls and roof you inhabit to protect yourself from the elements but also the priceless memories that are stored up in every corner. Paul Galla, President 1 http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/09/people/main2342280.shtml 2 http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2007-01-09-somers-fire_x.htm 3 http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wildfires/2008-05-22-santa_cruz_mountains_wildfire_N.htm 4 http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080612-1619-ca-californiafires.html |
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