Countywide Limits Sought for Wooden Shingles

An Orange County Grand Jury report released Monday calls for a uniform roofing code countywide that would restrict wood shake roofs, which the panel labeled a fire hazard.

“A uniform building code for roof construction needs to be established throughout Orange County to protect public safety, and the lives and property of the individual homeowner based on the unique climatic conditions caused by topographical conditions,” the report says.

The grand jury reviewed residential fires involving wood roofs throughout the county and state, building code requirements in the 35 jurisdictions in the county and roofing costs.

The panel found that many fires started by various sources spread quickly when embers sparked nearby wood shake roofs. Examples include the Laguna Beach fire of 1993, in which 366 homes caught fire; a 1991 Oakland blaze that burned 2,886 homes and resulted in 25 deaths; and a 1996 Malibu fire that killed three people.

Some cities, including Laguna Beach, have already prohibited wood roofs, which were popular in previous decades because of their rustic look. But requirements across the county vary greatly: Of the county’s 35 jurisdictions, fewer than half require the most fire-retardant roof materials to be used in new construction, and less than a third require that they be used for major re-roofing projects.

The grand jury urged the county and cities to amend local codes to require the most fire-retardant class of roofs in new construction and when more than half of a roof is being replaced.

The report’s findings and recommendations were immediately applauded by the Orange County Fire Authority.

“Wood roofs are dangerous. Period,” Battalion Chief Scott Brown said. “We certainly appreciate [the grand jury] bringing that to the attention of everyone.”

Laguna Beach City Manager Kenneth C. Frank agreed: “Clearly we should get rid of wood roofs. There’s no question about that. They should never have been allowed.”