Guarding Against Wildfire
20x20 | Innovative wildfire prevention products
Wildfires pose a growing threat to communities, landscapes, and ecosystems. As climate change accelerates, the need for effective wildfire prevention strategies is more urgent than ever. Researchers working with support from the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment have developed an innovative solution – a long-lasting, environmentally friendly gel designed to protect against these devastating fires. In collaboration with Cal Fire, the Desert Research Institute, and the U.S. Forest Service, the researchers piloted, optimized and validated the technology, which they commercialized in 2019. The technology is now marketed as Phos-Check Fortify.
In recent years, wildfires have become more frequent, intense, and destructive. Traditional fire suppression techniques are often reactive, struggling to keep up with the speed and scale of modern wildfires. There is a critical need for proactive measures that can protect vulnerable areas before fires start.
An interdisciplinary team led by materials scientist Eric Appel is addressing this challenge by developing a wildfire gel that can be applied to vegetation, structures, and other at-risk areas. This gel acts as a protective barrier, preventing ignition and significantly reducing the spread of wildfires. Unlike conventional fire retardants, the gel remains effective for long periods, even through changing weather conditions.
With the support of a 2018 Realizing Environmental Innovation Program grant, Appel and his team have advanced the gel from laboratory research to real-world applications. The project has involved extensive testing to ensure the gel's safety, durability, and effectiveness.
Field trials have demonstrated that the gel can withstand wind, rain, and heat, maintaining its fire-resistant properties over time. It represents a groundbreaking approach to wildfire prevention, one that has the potential to change how we protect communities and ecosystems from fire threats.
By preventing the spread of wildfires, the gel has the potential to save billions in firefighting costs and property losses. Residential areas in fire-prone regions can use it to safeguard homes; municipalities and land management agencies can employ it to protect critical infrastructure, parks, and natural reserves; and businesses in vulnerable zones can utilize it to shield their properties from potential fire damage.
We're flashing back! See more stories about high impact research and solutions emerging from our work over the past two decades.
Read the 20x20 series