Roofs

ROOFS

Your roof is one of the most vulnerable areas of your home to a wildland fire.

But, it can also be one of your most important defenses against wildfire.

These guidelines can help make the roof of your home FIREWISE.

The wind can carry burning embers for over a mile during a wildland fire.

If the embers land on your roof, the fire can be quickly transmitted to your house.

Use ignition resistant roofing materials such as steel, ceramic or cement tile, or composition.

Avoid wood shingles since they are very susceptible to ignition and burn intensely.

Fire retardant treatment on wood shingles is not effective long term. Steep steel roofs don't collect leaves and needles.

Clean your roof surface and gutters regularly to avoid accumulation of pine needles, leaves and other flamable materials.

Inspect chimneys twice a year. Clean once a year.

Check dampers. Install a spark arrester.

Cover chimney outlet and stovepipes with non-flammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh.

Open eaves trap hot air and embers. Design them with minimum overhang, and box them in.

Cover soffits with fire retardant board.

Locate under-eave vents near the roof line, rather than near the wall.

All ventilation openings in the roof and soffits should be covered with 1/8 inch screen.

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Your roof is one of the most vulnerable areas of your home to a wildland fire.

But, it can also be one of your most important defenses against wildfire.

These guidelines can help make the roof of your home FIREWISE.

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Updated November 17, 2002

	The wind can carry burning embers for over a mile during a wildland fire. If the embers land on your roof, the fire can be quickly transmitted to your house.
	Use ignition resistant roofing materials such as steel, ceramic or cement tile, or composition. Avoid wood shingles since they are very susceptible to ignition and burn intensely. Fire retardant treatment on wood shingles is not effective long term. Steep steel roofs don't collect leaves and needles.
	Clean your roof surface and gutters regularly to avoid accumulation of pine needles, leaves and other flamable materials. Inspect chimneys twice a year. Clean once a year. Check dampers. Install a spark arrester. Cover chimney outlet and stovepipes with non-flammable screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh.
	Open eaves trap hot air and embers. Design them with minimum overhang, and box them in. Cover soffits with fire retardant board. Locate under-eave vents near the roof line, rather than near the wall. All ventilation openings in the roof and soffits should be covered with 1/8 inch screen.