I have good and bad news regarding wood shake and shingle roofs. I'll start with the bad--which you probably already know--they are dangerous. By that I mean that they are 2 to 21 times more likely than fire resistant roofs to burn in the event of a wildfire (University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet 94-26). I know that wood shakes have a great old rustic charm, but really, who in a fire zone would want a roof with an ignition temperature less than that of a glowing cigarette? (Western cedar shakes--378 °F, glowing cigarette--550°F.)

Now for the good news: The Fire Safe Council is applying for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant that can help homeowners with the cost of replacing these wooden roofs. The details have not been established as yet, but it is likely FEMA funds can help the homeowner with the majority of the replacement cost. We are being helped to obtain these funds by the Riverside County Office of Emergency Services and the California Emergency Management Agency.

Experts generally agree on two main threats to homes from wildfire. The first is vegetation close to the house. We all know this-surround your house with needles, leaves and dry brush and you live on top of a potential bonfire. So proper abatement within the 100' defensible space zone is essential (not to mention required by law.)

The second threat has to do with the materials comprising the house itself. Of all the structures that make up a house, the roof is most vulnerable to fire. Burning embers cast downwind from the fire are likely to land on roofs, and if they land on a shake roof, odds are good they will set it, and the house, on fire. In studies both in the US and Australia, it was concluded that the most cost effective actions a homeowner could take to increase house survivability during wildfire was to reduce nearby flammable vegetation and install a fire resistant roof.

This is why FEMA is devoting funds to assist homeowners in fire threatened communities like ours to make homes more resistant to the ember assault of a wildfire. This does not guarantee the survival of the house, since other factors like the house position regarding slope, and the kinds of materials used in external wall coverings, windows, and vents play a role. But as noted, it makes a big difference.

We have not gotten the grant as yet, but we are confidant that we will. If you have a wooden shake or shingle roof I invite you to call us and get on the list for this program. It will be a first come, first serve process, so the sooner you sign up the better. From what we know now, FEMA will require vegetation clearance around your home, and will not pay for detached garages or out buildings, yet will require that they have Class A rated roofs. They will also not pay for any structural changes needed in the re-roofing.

The grant process is happening fast so I encourage everyone with wood roofs to talk to the Fire Safe Council project managers at 659-6208. Improving our roofs will be a big step forward in fire safety for our community.