Here is yet another example of a homeowner who saved his property (and that of his neighbors) through the use of his home irrigation system. 

Wildfires burn down structures, like those in the Palisades, by raining down embers that then are blown by the wind into attics and against flammable material (leaves and dry vegetation) that are next to homes. 

With a very simple set-up you can save your home from those firebrands simply by wetting everything down. This man very wisely also sprayed his house down with a fire retardant chemical, probably a class A spray which happens to be both biodegradeable and cheap. You can get 5 gallons for $150. 

Honestly, the most dangerous thing this guy did was leave his home. Cars are terrible protection against fire; they are not insulated, can get easily trapped, and are filled with flammable fuel. 

Homes, by contrast, have water hook ups, pools, irrigation systems, and are relatively air tight against external smoke. Armed with an 18 foot diamter pool from Wal-Mart and a $250 pump from Harbor Freight, you can absolutely save most properties from embers regardless of whether or not your water pressure goes out.