As wildfires continue raging across the United States and around the world, leaving devastation in their wake, you may be wondering what's behind this growing crisis.

The surprising answer?

Humans are largely to blame.

While climate change is indeed exacerbating wildfire conditions with hotter, drier weather, over 90% of U.S. wildfires are actually caused by human activities like arson, campfires left unattended, burning of debris, and equipment misuse or malfunction.

That's according to data from the U.S. Department of Interior.

In this episode I draw attention to the fact that in most cases, these exceptionally costly disasters could have been prevented with more vigilant fire safety practices.

As wildfire season seems to grow longer and more destructive each year, it's critical for those living in fire-prone areas to understand the dos and don'ts of fire prevention.

Properly extinguishing campfires, avoiding open burning during dry conditions, and exercising caution with fire-starting equipment like chainsaws or vehicles can go a long way.

But there are also ways we can help tackle this issue from a broader angle by being conscious consumers.

The Link Between Wildfires and Our Product Choices.

Many don't realize it, but the coatings and products we use on everything from office buildings to homes can have an environmental impact that relates to climate change and fire risk.

Traditional petroleum-based paints and coatings are a notorious source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions that can contribute to smog and poor air quality.

They are also highly flammable and in fires release toxic fumes.

This poses risks for human health while further compounding climate change, which leads to hotter, drier conditions enabling more wildfires.

However, choosing eco-friendly, water-based coating products with low or zero VOCs, fire resistant and don’t release anything toxic if burned can help curb these effects.

By switching to greener coatings options for our buildings and infrastructure projects, we eliminate tons of annual VOC emissions that contaminate air quality.

Furthermore, some of today's cutting-edge green coatings don't just minimize environmental impact in production and use - their unique properties can actually help turn buildings and infrastructure fire resistant in fire-prone regions.

To Sum IT Up:

Emerging solutions like the right green coatings that are fire resistance, can be sprayed onto surfaces to encase and insulate the substrates, creating a new opportunity by helping turn all structures fire resistant.

With wildfires growing more severe and widespread, fortifying, buildings, structures, homes, businesses, power line towers, and other infrastructure with the right advanced fire-resistant coatings could be a game-changer for protecting lives and property while reducing devastating losses.

By being socially conscious consumers who demand eco-friendly, sustainably-minded products, we can help curb our personal impact on climate change and air quality.

And by embracing the right innovative green coatings' technologies, we can safeguard our communities from wildfires while building a greener future for our planet.

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” George Bernard Shaw - Irish Playwright, Critic, Polemicist & Political Activist.

What are your questions?

We are always here to help and excited to answer them.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Contact us at +1 (800) 266-3982 , or send us an email at service@encasement.com and leave a comment below.​

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