In one of the most devastating fires in recent memory, Gene and son Patrick Goring’s home in the Palisades Highlands neighborhood is one of the few to survive.
While many in the community lost everything, the Gollings believe their property was saved by two key factors: clearing brush and an unconventional watering system using homemade pumps. I am.
The Gollings’ 20,000-gallon pool was drained to serve as a critical water source when the Palisades Fire threatened the neighborhood earlier this week.
The system uses a water pump powered by a Honda engine, and Gene Goring installed it last summer after seeing an online ad for the device. It cost just under $3,700 and was a precautionary measure.
“I imagined this thing on fire,” said Gene Golling, reflecting on his decision to purchase the system. “I told myself this was going to be a disaster.”
Although the Gollings could not predict the size or approach of the fire, they had already tested the system several months in advance. In the event of a fire, the pump allows you to use the pool water to extinguish the surrounding area.
The system worked as planned. On Tuesday, the Gollings had their system running for 10 hours straight as the fire progressed, flooding the hillsides surrounding their home.
“When I came back on Thursday, I was shocked to see this tree on fire and the hill below it,” Patrick Golling said as he described the path of the fire through his neighborhood. “Then it occurred to me that if it hadn’t been soaked for five hours, it would have caught on fire and burned everything down.”
Golling’s home, along with several other homes in the area, was one of the lucky few to survive the fire. Patrick Goring expressed sympathy for his neighbors, many of whom were not so lucky.
The family emphasized the importance of preparing for future fires.
“People should be more prepared for future fires,” Patrick said. “The fire never goes out.”
The Gollings hope their experience can serve as a lesson to others in fire-prone areas.
Although the systems they install may not be affordable for everyone, there are also other measures homeowners can take. In addition to the water system, the Gollings moved patio furniture from their home and removed dead plants from the property.
Residents without a pool are encouraged to invest in a water storage tank that can be connected to a sprinkler system to avoid depleting valuable water resources during firefighting efforts.
While the Golling family’s story offers a glimmer of hope, it also highlights the harsh reality of living in a bushfire-prone region. As climate change increases the risk of such catastrophic fires, preparedness can mean the difference between survival and loss.
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