She watched a wildfire destroy her town, so she's building fire-proof bunkers
Summary
After surviving a deadly 2017 wildfire in Napa, California, aerospace engineer Linda Cantey helped create a fire-proof bunker called Fort that can protect people from extreme heat and flames. Fort and other new wildfire safety products show how businesses are developing costly but innovative ways to protect homes and lives from worsening wildfires.Key Facts
- The 2017 Atlas Wildfire in Napa burned over 51,000 acres, destroyed 783 buildings, and caused six deaths.
- Linda Cantey, who experienced the fire firsthand, worked with a mining company to develop the Fort fire-proof bunker.
- Fort can hold up to eight people and valuables, withstand flames and temperatures up to 2,000°F for three hours, and provide breathable air for four hours.
- The Fort bunker costs about $60,000, while other wildfire protection solutions, like hydraulic homes and fire-retardant wraps, can cost from thousands to over a million dollars.
- Hydraulic homes, made by company HiberTec, can move underground to avoid fires but are expected to be available only by 2030.
- The company selling Fort anticipates around 150 orders per year, with bunkers made in Utah and shipped nationwide.
- Wildfire activity in the US has roughly doubled in the past 20 years, increasing demand for safety innovations.
- Other creative wildfire defenses include using goats to clear grass, though this method can cost more than $3,000 per day.
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