California Man Saves Century-Old Ranch from Wildfire Using DIY Sprinkler System

By: Georgia | Published: Jul 31, 2024

Out in northern California, Ron Ward wasn’t about to watch his ranch burn. Armed with a homemade sprinkler system using the pond out back, he’s fighting the wildfire head-on. 

The clincher? A pump he and his son rushed to install, now a key player in this water wall defense.

More Than Just Land

Since 1905, Ron’s ranch has weathered storms and more, but the recent Park Fire brought flames within whispering distance of this historic homestead. 

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Two firefighters in protective gear manage a hose by a truck near towering flames engulfing trees

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The fire stopped just 70 feet away, a close call for a place rich with family history.

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When Fire Met Sprinkler

As the wildfire loomed closer, Ron’s sprinklers leaped into action. “It hit our sprinklers and kind of died down and then went around our property,” Ron explained

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Close-up of a garden sprinkler operating, spraying droplets of water with a blurred green background

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This quick setup turned into a lifesaver, shielding every building on his land.

Holding Ground

With fires blazing, the local mood was grim, people questioning if staying was wise. 

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A panoramic night view of a wildfire spreading across a hillside, with clouds of smoke and areas lit by fire under a starry sky

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But Ron’s roots are deep here. “There’s a lot of history here…we’re committed to preserving the ranch,” he said.

Not Just Firefighters

Even after the immediate threat passed, Ron and his buddies kept watch, extinguishing any new sparks. 

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A fierce wildfire consuming a dense forest, with tall flames and heavy smoke obscuring the trees and reddening the sky

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“We’re just cruising around and putting out fires,” he shared, their makeshift patrol a testament to their resolve.

A Community Charred

Ron’s place stood its ground, but many neighbors faced total loss. 

A dramatic scene of a car fully engulfed in flames on a road with wildfire burning in the background

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The Park Fire has been ruthless, claiming homes and dreams, and becoming California’s most formidable fire of the year.

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A Widespread Wrath

Covering over 575 square miles, the Park Fire’s appetite was voracious.

Firefighters hose down a wildfire next to a road as flames engulf the hillside behind them, with a CAL FIRE truck prominently displayed in the foreground

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It is a harsh reminder of nature’s might and the stark reality facing those in its path.

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A State on Red Alert

As fires multiplied, a red flag warning blanketed several states, signaling severe fire danger. 

A firefighter directs a stream of water towards a burning house engulfed in intense flames

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It was all hands on deck, with resources stretched thin against a backdrop of over 100 active fires.

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Help from the Lone Star State

In a heartening show of solidarity, Texas sent reinforcements. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a podium, dressed in a blue suit and tie, with a California-themed backdrop emphasizing state unity

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California’s Governor Newsom expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you to Texas and Greg Abbott for sending aid.”

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Ingenuity Saves the Day

Ron Ward’s tale is one of not just survival, but clever resilience. 

A destroyed home stands amid a devastated landscape, the remnants charred and smoldering

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His proactive stance safeguarded his family’s legacy and shone a spotlight on the power of personal preparedness.

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A Call to Prepare

Ron’s actions highlight an essential message: readiness can dramatically alter outcomes. 

Two people walk along a roadside with a dense smoke and flames from a nearby wildfire in the background

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His story is a call to arms for others to devise their own strategies against nature’s more furious moments.

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Eyes Forward

Despite everything, Ron remains undeterred, his spirit as steadfast as ever. 

A massive plume of smoke from a wildfire rises behind a serene rural setting, juxtaposing the calm foreground against the distant disaster

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As the community picks up the pieces, his dedication to his land and legacy continues to inspire, pointing the way forward in a landscape forever changed by wildfire.

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