July 25 - San Bernardino County Fire's Gel Task Force headed to San Diego County on Sunday, July 24, to provide structure protection at a wildland fire dubbed the "Eagle Fire". To date, the fire has burned over 12,500 acres and is burning on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation and the Anza Borrego Desert State Park in Warner Springs.

This Gel Task Force is currently protecting the historical Borrego Palms campground. The Gel Task Force consists of five brush patrol engines, with 20 firefighters and a task force leader. Brush Patrol engines are smaller in build and can navigate the narrow, treacherous roads and terrain.

Firefighters carry a 5-gallon backpack pump containing Thermo Gel, allowing for easier access around the home and ensuring better application of the gel to the home. Firefighters are able to spray the home to protect it and then move to safety until the fire passes.

Thermo Gel gives firefighters a fighting chance when it comes to saving homes. This task force can cover about 15 average size homes an hour. Once applied, the gel protects the home anywhere from 8 to 12 hours depending on the temperature. After which, the gel reactivates with just a light spray of water and the environmentally safe gel can be easily removed from the home using a pressure washer. Thermo Gel has been credited in the past for saving numerous homes during the Sheep Fire in 2009 that burned near the community of Wrightwood and the 2008 Sleepy Hollow Fire in Carbon Canyon near Chino Hills. The fire amazingly burned around the homes with little to no damage sustained to the treated home.

Photos are from previous gel task force assignments.

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