The devastating wildfires that recently scorched Southern California caused an estimated $250 billion to $275 billion in damages. In the face of such destruction, two teens from Mountain View, California, have developed a nontoxic fire retardant that could help protect homes from future wildfires.
Barrett Deng and Sebastien Burkhardt were inspired to create Clore after witnessing the smoke from wildfires hovering over the East Coast during a summer vacation in Boston. They realized that wildfires are a major problem not just in California, but around the world.
Clore is a long-term fire retardant that can be sprayed on vegetation surrounding a property to help protect it in the event of a wildfire. It is nontoxic and safe for use around people, pets, and plants.
Clore was put to the test during the recent wildfires in Southern California. Jugs of the product had been placed around roughly 50 properties, and when the fires broke out, none of the plants treated with Clore caught fire. All of the homes where Clore was deployed survived the fires.
Deng and Burkhardt do not claim that Clore is the sole reason these homes survived, but they are proud of the role their product played in giving homeowners a better chance at protecting their property.
Clore is just one of many innovations that are being developed to help fight wildfires. Other innovations include AI-powered detection systems and autonomous firefighting drones.
These tools have the potential to make a huge impact in the fight against wildfires, but they cannot succeed alone. Collaboration is key. Communities, governments, and investors must come together to scale these solutions, reduce risks, and drive systemic change.
What Can You Do?
If you live in a wildfire-prone area, there are several things you can do to protect your home:
- Create a defensible space around your home by clearing away flammable vegetation.
- Use fire-resistant building materials when building or remodeling your home.
- Install a fire sprinkler system in your home.
- Have an evacuation plan in place and practice it regularly.
You can also help support the development of new wildfire-fighting technologies by investing in companies that are working on these solutions. Together, we can all help to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our communities.
How Clore Differs from Traditional Fire Retardants
While both Clore and DRI-ONE are fire retardants, they have some key differences. DRI-ONE, established in 1958, is a well-known, non-toxic solution used primarily for treating wood, fabrics, and other materials to prevent combustion and flame spread. It has a long history and is widely used in both commercial and residential settings.
Clore, on the other hand, is a newer product specifically designed for wildfire prevention. It’s applied to vegetation surrounding property, creating a protective barrier against approaching flames. Unlike DRI-ONE, which is primarily used to prevent fires from starting, Clore is designed to help stop the spread of existing wildfires.
Essentially, DRI-ONE is like a fireproofing agent for materials within a structure, while Clore acts as a defensive shield against external wildfire threats.
Why Aren’t Celebs and Families More Prepared?
It’s a common misconception that “it can’t happen to me.” Many people, even those living in wildfire-prone areas, underestimate the risk or believe that existing fire services will be enough to protect them. This can be seen in the lack of widespread adoption of readily available preventative measures like Clore, even amongst those with the means to do so.
The recent fires in California, particularly in affluent areas like the Palisades, highlight this disconnect. Even celebrities, with access to resources and information, were seemingly caught off guard. News reports showed several celebrities losing their homes, despite NOAA warnings of hurricane-force winds and dry conditions that significantly increased the fire risk. This begs the question: why aren’t more celebrities and families taking proactive steps to protect their homes and loved ones?
The recent fires in California, particularly in affluent areas like the Palisades, highlight this disconnect. Even celebrities, with access to resources and information, were seemingly caught off guard. This underscores the need for greater awareness and a shift in mindset. Wildfire preparedness is not just about having the latest technology, it’s about recognizing the risk and taking proactive steps to mitigate it. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities.