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Jed Boal ReportingAs firefighters try to defend communities in Southern Utah, the state has a new weapon to battle the fires. If any fire threatens homes, crews plan to use a fire-retardant gel to fight off the flames.
Wildfires challenge firefighters all across the west. The fire season in Southern Utah continues to intensify. When flames roar towards homes, everyone gets nervous. But what if firefighters could pull a protective diaper over homes to fend off the flames? In a sense, that's how Thermo-gel works.
Randy Crane, Utah Product Rep: "The good thing about this material is that you can spray it on and it's good for eight hours. You can spray it on and leave with some assurance you're going to be protected."
Like the polymers in the baby diaper, the polymers in this foam absorb 50 times its weight in water. When you put the foam on a structure, it's like covering it with a dome of water."
We tried to burn items covered with the gel, they would not light. A test wall went up in flames, while the side coated with the gel did not burn.
Firefighters in other states have successfully used Thermo-gel to fight wildfires and defend homes. So state fire crews will try it out here.
Tracy Dunford, State Fire Manager: "We can apply this to the structures and get our firefighters out of the way, and come in after the flames have gone by. It's shown to be pretty effective."
If a fire burns towards homes in Southern Utah, firefighters will spray the gel on the homes to repel the flames.
Tracy Dunford, State Fire Manager: "The folks out on the Kolob fire, we've got it in their hands. If the situation arises, they'll be able to use it if they need to."
Some states drop it from planes.
The company says Thermo-Gel works on wildfires, tire fires, structure fires, prescribed burns, and for home protection. It washes off with water and can be used on trees and vegetation.
Tracy Dunford, State Fire Manager: "We're going to see how it works out. If it works out, we may use it a little more."
Ideally, firefighters never let the flames get that close, but this is another tool if they need it.
