[Ditter]

This is tragic, I feel so bad for those who are caught in this. I was wondering about something last night, maybe you can tell me if it has been tried. Why can't you have a system of sprinklers on your roof like many have in their yards? When the sparks are flying & landing on your roof you could turn it on & put out the sparks before they ignite the roof. Sprinkler systems are not that expensive in your yard, maybe it would be more to put one on your roof but who cares if it saved your house.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Some folks have saved their homes that way, or by using garden hoses. But when a fire really gets going, the winds and temperatures are unbelieveable. A buddy of mine lost his ranch in the Pecos (NM) in 2000. When the fire came over the ridge, the fire fighters estimated it was close to 2000 degrees. When he later went up there, there were holes in the ground five feet in diameter that branched off downward. It was the hole left by huge ponderosa pines that burned to ash where they stood, including the roots.

[South40]

That may stop the roofs from catching fire but there are other possible forms of ignition and/or exposed fuel sources. I recall hearing that some houses in the Harmony Grove fire (houses with clay tile roofs) caught fire when the radiant heat burst windows igniting interior furnishings. Exposed wood on houses caught fire also. As well as trees, shrubs, and other flora.