People in Colorado rebuild homes destroyed by fire using earth bricks

After losing her house to a wildfire in 2021, a Colorado woman is rebuilding with fire-resistant earth blocks, joining a growing number of people in the region looking to better protect their homes.

Nick Aspinwall reports for BBC.

In short:

• Melanie Glover's home was destroyed in a 2021 wildfire, prompting her to rebuild with earth blocks, a fire-resistant material.
• Traditional adobe homes in the Southwest U.S. inspired her design, which also reduces energy use and environmental impact.
• Research shows that earth blocks not only resist fire but can strengthen when exposed to extreme heat.

Key quote:

“I said to myself, dirt doesn't burn. We should build a house of dirt..”

— Melanie Glover, homeowner

Why this matters:

As climate change drives more severe wildfires, alternative building materials like earth blocks offer a safer, sustainable option. These structures, if widely adopted, could reduce fire risks and lower carbon emissions.