FIREBRANDS AND THE WOOD SHAKE ROOF HAZARD

Firebrands are burning embers produced by wildfire; they are lifted high into the air and carried beyond the firefront. Firebrands are one of the major causes of homes burned by wildfire.

Typical firebrand materials include pine cones, bark, and -- if houses are involved -- wood shakes and shingles. Depending on wind speed and size of materials, firebrands can be carried more than a half mile ahead of the firefront.

A shower of thousands of firebrands can be produced during a major wildfire. If these firebrands land in areas with easily ignited fuels, numerous spot fires can start. Homes located blocks away from the main firefront can be threatened.

A house can be threatened by a wildfire in three ways: direct exposure from flames, radiated heat, and airborne firebrands. Of these, firebrands account for the majority of homes burned by wildfire. The roof of the house is the most vulnerable to firebrands.

Because of its angle, the roof can catch and trap firebrands. If the roof is constructed of combustible materials such as untreated wood shakes and shingles, the house is in jeopardy of igniting and burning. Not only are combustible roofing materials a hazard to the structure on which they are installed, but they also pose a threat to other homes in the vicinity. Burning wood shakes can become firebrands, be lifted from the burning roof, and carried blocks away to land in receptive fuel beds such as other combustible roofs.

Unfortunately for homeowners with existing combustible roofs, the only long-term reliable measure to reduce roof vulnerability to wildfire is to re-roof the home with fire-resistant materials.

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