#2 Breaking News Updates Over A 24-Hour Period

The Caldor Fire in California started on August 14th 2021 and has already consumed over 276 square miles. The forest fire rushed through the tree-filled land near Tahoe yesterday. Many cabins were destroyed, and some were saved from the flame-filled destruction. One of the ones that did not burn happen to be wrapped in an aluminum foil-like sheet.

The home was wrapped in what looks like aluminum foil, prompting some to describe it as a giant baked potato or an oversized plate of leftovers.

Read more: https://t.co/iMO7kBoR5R pic.twitter.com/3pbo86TVHN

— San Francisco Chronicle (@sfchronicle) September 8, 2021

This is a fire blanket. A fire blanket is an aluminum foil-like wrap that can protect the item underneath it. These blankets are designed to do this. They protect the house by not allowing the flames to enter through gutters, vents, or broken windows. It allows for the house to not come in direct contact with the fire. This blanket also reflects the thermal radiation off of it. The best ones that work are ones that have 2 layers and have the aluminum surface that resembles what you would cover your potluck remains in.

Maybe I'm wrong, but to me this heat map from the #CaldorFire should go down as one of the most amazing things ever in wildfire fighting history. A wall of fire rolls down a 1000 ft slope onto a town. And not one home lost. pic.twitter.com/pdQxQjavYi

— JLBurns (@HKTahoe) September 4, 2021

According to Fumiaki Takahashi, a professor of Engineering at The University of Cleveland, states that that these blankets can block up to 92% of the heat and 96% of the Radiation. Because I have never heard of a fire blanket, I found this article along with the other tweets very interesting I am grateful that there is something that may be able to reduce the wildfires occurring in California.