She watched a wildfire destroy her town, so she's building fire-proof bunkers

June 3, 2026

Following her near-death experience during California's devastating 2017 Atlas Wildfire, aerospace engineer Linda Cantey partnered with a mining company to develop Fort, an above-ground fireproof bunker designed to protect people during wildfires. As wildfire intensity has doubled over two decades, several entrepreneurs have launched innovative but expensive solutions, including hydraulic homes that descend underground and goat herds that clear flammable vegetation. These products range from thousands to over a million dollars, reflecting both the growing severity of the wildfire crisis and increasing desperation among at-risk homeowners.

Who is affected

Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas, particularly in California and Colorado
Linda Cantey and her husband (survivors of the 2017 Atlas Wildfire)
An elderly couple who died in the Atlas Wildfire due to inability to open their garage door
Six total lives lost and 783 structures destroyed in the Atlas Wildfire
Residents near the recent Sandy Fire in Simi Valley who faced evacuation orders
Holden Forrest's community near Malibu (1,200 homes destroyed in Woolsey fire)
Customers of goat grazing services (Forest Service, homeowners associations, Pacific Gas & Electric, individual homeowners)

What action is being taken

Wildfire Safety Systems is manufacturing Fort bunkers at a Utah facility and shipping them approximately five weeks after orders are received
Goat Mowers LLC is deploying herds of goats to clear undergrowth for fire mitigation
Blue Tent Farms/Western Grazers is using 5,000 goats to serve large-acreage clients for vegetation management
Linda Cantey is serving on local fire safety advisory boards
Companies are offering flame-retardant home wraps and innovative sprinkler systems

Why it matters

This matters because wildfire activity has doubled over the past two decades according to NASA, creating an urgent need for protective solutions as traditional evacuation methods sometimes fail. The development of these innovations—from fireproof bunkers to vegetation management—represents both market responses to increasing climate-driven disasters and potentially life-saving alternatives for people who cannot escape in time. The high costs of these solutions also highlight growing inequality in who can afford protection from natural disasters, while the personal stories demonstrate how trauma is driving mission-focused entrepreneurship in response to worsening environmental threats.

What's next

Fort is anticipating approximately 150 orders per year initially
Holden Forrest estimates the first HiberTec hydraulic home will be available by 2030
Goat grazing companies expect continued demand as drought conditions persist and homeowner awareness grows

Read full article from source: BBC