Thanks, Lin, very much appreciated!

Almost 1200 views here.....if that equals just 200 individuals, and each one told 2 others, who each told 2 more, etc.
perhaps it would become common knowledge, and potentially save many homes & lives.

So everyone please, tell your neighbors, friends, relatives, even if you don't feel you need Barricade for your own home.

I wonder how many homes could have been saved in all the fires in the past year.

Here is a pic of my neighbor defending his home with a hose in the 2007 Witch Fire.

He has fire retardant to protect his home next time.

Thankful we dodged the wildfire bullet in San Diego County (for now).

FYI, I sent twitters and/or emails to:
President Trump, Gov Brown, Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke, Sen Feinstein, Rep. Hunter,
Jonathan Hunt (FOX News), The Five (FOX News), Kimberly Hunt Ch 10 San Diego news anchor.

Here is the text of the email sent to Sen Feinstein 11/16/18 (essentially the same to all):

I'm a homeowner in Escondido, Ca 92029. We had to evacuate in the 2007 Witch Fire. The fire came 100 yards from us before being stopped by helicopter water drops.
I have since purchased fire retardant for my home that I will spray on if a fire is coming.

We all have to wear seat belts, carry insurance for our cars, homes.....why not require homeowners, especially those in areas in danger from wild fires, to keep fire retardant ready for their homes?

Santa Rosa, Ventura, Malibu, Paradise......so many fires, so many homes, and now 50+ killed.
How many could have been saved if they had used fire retardant?

All the fire departments I've contacted say they like it when folks use fire retardant (e.g. Barricade Fire Gel),
but they will not publicly endorse it due to concerns about liability.

Here is a thread I started at the National Gardening Association Pacific Gardening forum with information about fire retardants The thread "Fire gels can protect homes & lives !!!" in Pacific Coast Gardening forum
I'm not selling the product, just trying to raise awareness of the danger, and the availability of products that
has been proven to save homes from wild fire.

I also sent this to Gov. Brown, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and Congressman Duncan Hunter.
Please advocate for this to save homes from the wildfires that can happen anywhere & anytime now in California.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Cal McGaugh
Escondido, Ca

So far no replies.

Also, 1235 views, only 3 replies, all from @plantladylin.

Thanks Lin. I hope your friends here in my area will call George Lucia, and
pass on the info to their neighbors.

Here is a map of the 2007 fire........our home is right between the "Del" & "Dios".
http://cal3d.com/Barricade/200...

What will it take to get the attention of the public, law makers, & media???

How many more homes, neighborhoods, & even whole towns will be lost???

Thank you for all the info. Which I take quite seriously. I live in a area and every summer wild fires are a concern and have purchased foam many years ago to protect my home, it uses less water than gels. As well as lots of extra hoses. The water holding tank from the well only holds 2800 gal of water. Had purchased 5 extra 500 gal tanks to keep extra water on hand. In summer the water table drops and it takes a day to refil the holding tanks . Several years ago had evacuated the horses and trailer full of survival gear and food for animals for a few days. That was all I had time to pack.

Now many years later in my 70's it worries me if I could even walk or move well enough in an emergency, let alone use the foam purchased. Every summer I feel so vulnerable and never thought that a wild fire threat would some day be a decision to move. The only thing I can do is keep all my belongings in pics everything I own on my iPad saved to disc up date every year and put in a safety deposit box in the bank. Pics of serial numbers...all good for insurance. The fire dept recommended pics when they came out to do an inspection. Anyone can request a safety inspection . Always helpful advice.

Every summer gets hotter and dryer and the pastures turn to dirt it gets so dry. And the huge trees are loaded with dry packed foliage. It doesn't rain from June to oct in my area. Been hoping to persuade the county to plow a fire break on the bottom of the canyon for better protection .

I hope that insurance companies will recommend the gel for homeowners protection and a break on coverage per ur letters and actions you have taken. Petitions on Facebook might help. The idea is similiar to the other breaks on ins rates, for instance the water heaters are banded to the walls for earthquake ins. Reinforcements to beams and walls. As well as fire retardant materials used on and in the home.

You give very good common sense advice and I am grateful to read up on the new products available to protect homes. I can see your heartfelt caring advice and it's never to late to take action and you my friend have made a huge difference here, making me rethink and plan better.

Thank you
Bea

Thanks, Bea! You made my day.

Hope we never have to use it, but....

Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it

Have a great day,
Cal

ps- finally got a reply....only one......from Senator Diane Feinstein.....I'm glad she took time
to read & reply, but didn't specifically address the use of fire retardants by home owners.

That's the problem.....no one is advertising it or promoting it. Very disheartening.

But so glad you are on board, and ready.

@bumblbea

Now many years later in my 70's it worries me if I could even walk or move well enough in an emergency, let alone use the foam purchased.

Yes, going on 74, I feel the same some days.....I hope you have neighbors who can lend a hand if necessary.

Are there trees or brush around your home?
What kind of roof do you have?
Is your foam still good?

Barricade is good for at least 5 yr , but must be shaken every 6 mo,
and is good up to 72 hr after application (probably depends on humidity & wind).

Embers are my main concern.....they go for miles, and will torch a home, but leave the trees if they are
green, and well watered.

To my mind, the better answer would be better building codes. Yes, we're out of land to build on, but allowing homes to be stacked on top of each other, with no defensible space between them, and one road in/ out is asking for trouble. Add to that shake roofs, poor landscaping, and the list goes on. Same goes with building on earthquake faults, and in riverbeds. Cities and counties want that tax revenue, but what does it cost the rest of us,,, especially the uninformed buyer. West coast weather is always going to be unpredictable, but we can even the odds a bit by doing our homework....whether it be fire gel or landscaping.

You're right, Carol. Too many homes in California are at risk just
because no one thought ahead when they were built.

"Location, location, location., the real estate agents' mantra.

Everyone needs to look around, and consider their location.
If they are in a dangerous location, and can't make the changes
to decrease the danger, then move if possible.

Or take their chances, and hope their home and neighborhood
don't burn or get washed away, or slide down a hill.

re: Australia!

If you know anyone there who is in danger from the wildfires, and still have
a home, please pass on the info in this thread asap.

I called the company today, and they said Barricade has been available in Australia for 15 yrs, but I haven't seen any reports saying it was used to protect homes there, so maybe people don't know it's
available.

Maybe all they need to do is Google it for the contact info for a local distributor.

Here is the company website if they want to inquire directly.
https://firegel.com/global-dis...

Please contact your Aussie friends today if possible with this info.
It's supposed to get worse before it gets better, and this may very well
save homes & lives.

Certainly worth a try.

Praying for Australia.

Just found this terrifying video from NSW on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/...

It could be our street where we live in Southern California,
but also in many other areas of the USA.

Tell your neighbors, friends & loved ones.
Don't wait. Be prepared.

Hi Cal, glad to see this thread is still here...been seriously researching about this fire retardant gels.
Scary wildfire season this time indeed.

Hey Tarev,

if it was spring, I'd recommend setting up a demo of Barricade,
but at this point, I recommend just getting it asap so you have it
sooner than later. At least check to see if it's in stock, as it
can be hard to find if there is a run on it in your area.

Waiting is like rolling the dice.

I have checked the Barricade website directly, their shipping is delayed due to covid-19, the one in San Diego, Thermo Gel may be a better option for now.