Company sprays homes to prevent wildfire destruction

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Randy Vance has evidence of the effectiveness of services provided by Atlas Wildfire Defense Co. The Fallbrook company, a partnership of Vance and his best friend, Kier Ceballos, reports that the six homes and two businesses they sprayed in the Lake Tahoe area all survived the disastrous wildfire that was officially contained on Oct. 21.

“We’re pleased that none of the eight structures were damaged, when all around them buildings burned,” Vance said. “We were a perfect eight-for-eight with our protection.

The two-month-old California wildfire that threatened the Lake Tahoe resort region over the summer scorched more than 346 square miles of the Sierra Nevada, destroying more than 700 homes since it was reported Aug. 14.

Atlas Wildfire Defense supports multiple products, but the one Vance is most excited about is a spray called Mighty Fire Breaker. It requires re-spraying every six months.

“This product is guaranteed,” Vance said. “If your home burns, it’s covered.”

At a time when insurance companies are beginning to require an endorsement for wildfire coverage – just like with earthquake or flood insurance – Vance said spraying your property every six months may be a more cost-efficient method for coverage.

“This new technology is amazing,” he said. “It really works.”

Vance has first-hand knowledge of the product’s effectiveness through his training and relationship with the North County owner of Mighty Fire Breaker.

“Four months ago, we sprayed the California Wolf Center, a sanctuary in Julian,” he said. “We came back with a blow torch to try to burn the dry brush around the fences and buildings, and the brush wouldn’t ignite.”

Vance said other spray products use phosphate or ammonia, but Mighty Fire Breaker is plant-based. It’s also EPA certified, he added.

While his primary client base is residential in North County, he has clients throughout the state, including wineries in the Napa area. He also has sprayed a local 12-acre citrus grove and other businesses.

In addition to spraying homes and businesses, he offers free assessments for other prevention products like vent and gutter covers to prevent fires from embers, sprinkler systems, and more.

Even homes built to be fireproof could have problems with fences or porches burning that could create smoke damage, he said.

Vance noted that the peak wildfire season, August through December, has arrived and that he still has time to schedule preventive measures.

For information, visit atlaswildfire.com or call 760-88-ATLAS.