Experimental Gel Coating May Protect Homes from Wildfires

A temporary gel coating could save thousands of homes from being destroyed by wildfires. Created by USDA scientists, the experimental gel is made of bentonite clay, corn starch and water, and offers better, more affordable protection than other fire-retardant gels. In burn tests, siding coated with the gel took longer to reach 392 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature at which wood-based siding may begin to burn or char. In other tests, the gel kept its moisture longer, which is important for fire retardants. Learn more.