Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, we take a look at a new wildfire shelter which people can install in their yard as a last-resort refuge if they are trapped by a wildfire. The FORT - Fire-resistant Onsite Refuge Technology - is a concrete shed with its own compressed air supply which can shelter 8 people for 4 hours.
Earlier this year, I took a trip out to Illinois to observe a demonstration of the FORT. Salespeople and engineers from Wildfire Safety Systems, the inventors of the FORT, went inside the shelter while we burned about 1,000 pallets in a ring around it.
While it is obviously best if you can evacuate before a fire arrives, some communities and neighborhoods have real traffic and access problems which can make leaving difficult. Most people who die in wildfires perish in their cars, stuck in traffic. A FORT is not a bad option if you live in a place with one road in and out. Also, if you do have time to evacuate, you can put your valuables and heirlooms in the FORT so you'll still have them, even if you lose your home.
Wildfire Safety Systems is a Major Sponsor of The Lookout, and paid for this review. I do believe this is a well-engineered product, and that it isn't a bad idea!
FORTs are now officially available for purchase. Get more information at www.wildfiresafetysystems.com.
Thanks to our sponsors:
FIRESTORM--firestormfire.com
WATERAX - waterax.com
Wildfire Safety Systems - wildfiresafetysystems.com
QTAC--qtacfire.com - Use checkout code 'The Lookout' for a free draft hose kit with any UTV or Pickup skid order!
Join our Patreon for extra content!
patreon.com/c/TheLookout1
For Lookout Merch: ko-fi.com/thelookout/shop
We are viewer-supported. You can become a monthly Patreon or PayPal subscriber or make a one-time donation on our website: the-lookout.org
In this video, we take a look at a new wildfire shelter which people can install in their yard as a last-resort refuge if they are trapped by a wildfire. The FORT - Fire-resistant Onsite Refuge Technology - is a concrete shed with its own compressed air supply which can shelter 8 people for 4 hours.
Earlier this year, I took a trip out to Illinois to observe a demonstration of the FORT. Salespeople and engineers from Wildfire Safety Systems, the inventors of the FORT, went inside the shelter while we burned about 1,000 pallets in a ring around it.
While it is obviously best if you can evacuate before a fire arrives, some communities and neighborhoods have real traffic and access problems which can make leaving difficult. Most people who die in wildfires perish in their cars, stuck in traffic. A FORT is not a bad option if you live in a place with one road in and out. Also, if you do have time to evacuate, you can put your valuables and heirlooms in the FORT so you'll still have them, even if you lose your home.
Wildfire Safety Systems is a Major Sponsor of The Lookout, and paid for this review. I do believe this is a well-engineered product, and that it isn't a bad idea!
FORTs are now officially available for purchase. Get more information at www.wildfiresafetysystems.com.
Thanks to our sponsors:
FIRESTORM--firestormfire.com
WATERAX - waterax.com
Wildfire Safety Systems - wildfiresafetysystems.com
QTAC--qtacfire.com - Use checkout code 'The Lookout' for a free draft hose kit with any UTV or Pickup skid order!
Join our Patreon for extra content!
patreon.com/c/TheLookout1
For Lookout Merch: ko-fi.com/thelookout/shop
We are viewer-supported. You can become a monthly Patreon or PayPal subscriber or make a one-time donation on our website: the-lookout.org
