As Los Angeles County battles unprecedented wildfires that have charred more than 36,000 acres so far this month, the urgency of wildfire preparedness has never been more evident. 

Images of neighborhoods completely eviscerated, with smoke columns visible for miles, underscore the new normal: wildfire threats are increasing from seasonal to year-round.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, embers — the tiny, fiery fragments carried by the wind — are the leading challenge in mitigating home losses during wildfires. This challenge is not just theoretical for roofing contractors working in the Wildland-Urban Interface.

The growing year-round prevalence of wildfires has increasingly placed demands on roofing contractors and, by extension, the roofing industry for practical solutions to safeguard homes in vulnerable environments.

Greg Keeler, technical services leader at Titanium, an underlayment product line subsidiary of Owens Corning, emphasizes that an oft-overlooked component of wildfire defense is the inclusion of roofing underlayment in mitigating that threat.

Keeler, who has 30 years of architectural design experience, 24 years in code enforcement, and a history as a firefighter, says roofing underlayment is a home’s first line of defense against embers. These embers can travel a quarter-mile and ignite roof decks through even small gaps.

CAL FIRE San Diego Captain Mike Cornette emphasizes the threat these embers pose, explaining how they are carried aloft by convective heat and spread by wind currents.

“As the fire’s moving, that smoke column that’s going up in the air, that’s convective heat,” Cornette says. “That’s taking that smoke and the heat and embers up in the air, and then there’s a mixture of wind that can carry those embers quite far.”

The destruction of neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades on L.A.’s Westside reflects broader trends in urban development within a changing climate. Homes in the Wildland-Urban Interface—where natural landscapes meet human developments—are at particular risk for populations in fire-prone areas.

“The Wildland-Urban Interface is just going to keep growing,” Keeler says. “The more land becomes a premium, the more we move homes into densely forested areas, creating a perfect storm for wildfire risks.”

Material Innovation and R&D

The evolution of fire-resistant underlayments represents a significant leap forward in roofing technology. Synthetics are replacing traditional materials like felt with advanced fire-retardant properties. Keeler notes that many older solutions were cumbersome, tearing easily or being uncomfortable to install due to exposed fiberglass.

Beyond the danger of wildfires, the increased adoption of energy-generating roof systems that incorporate solar panels requires underlayments that are resilient, easy to work with, and resistant to ignition from heat.

“Older fire-resistant products were made of fiberglass, which was hard to work with and prone to tearing,” he explains. “[Titanium’s products] create a barrier that resists both heat and embers, reducing the chances of ignition even under intense wildfire conditions,” he says. “This is especially critical for homes with metal roofs or solar panels, where embers can easily reach the roof deck.”

Fire resistance in roofing systems is determined through rigorous testing of entire assemblies, including decking, underlayment, and the outer roof covering. Standards like ASTM E108 and UL 790 guide this process, classifying roofs into Class A, B, or C ratings based on fire resistance. Class A offers the highest level of protection and is often mandated in WUI areas.

Keeler underscores that underlayments are integral to achieving these fire ratings. “Most asphalt shingles wouldn’t pass the Class A test without a robust underlayment,” he explains. Advanced underlayments are designed to endure the heat and embers generated during these tests, ensuring the roof assembly’s overall integrity.

OC’s Titanium FR, for instance, combines durability with ease of installation. The underlayment includes fire-retardant chemicals and a synthetic surface that resists tearing while enhancing walkability. “Our focus has been on creating a product that’s not only effective in fire defense but also practical for contractors,” Keeler says.

Innovation for Improved Safety

In addition to Titanium FR, other manufacturers offer fire-resistant underlayments to enhance roof safety in wildfire-prone areas.

GAF's VersaShield Fire-Resistant Roof Deck Protection is engineered to improve a roof system's fire resistance. According to GAF, VersaShield "helps protect against dangerous flame spread and penetration into the interior of your property" and can upgrade the UL fire classification of various roof systems, including metal roofs, to a UL Class A rating. 

Similarly, Polyglass offers Polystick XFR, a self-adhered underlayment designed for buildings requiring additional fire resistance. Polyglass notes that Polystick XFR is ideal for use under metal, tile, and shingle roofs and provides enhanced protection against fire. 

Westlake Royal Roofing's Sol-R-Skin BLUE is another option. The manufacturer describes it as “…a fire-resistant, thermally insulating, and reflective roof underlayment” designed to complement Westlake Royal’s Unified Steel and Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile products.

As the world has witnessed over the last week, the stakes have never been higher for roofing contractors operating in the WUI. Advanced underlayments offer an effective and practical solution to mitigate wildfire risks. From protecting against embers to ensuring compliance with stringent fire codes, these materials are essential for safeguarding homes in high-risk areas.

OC's Keeler puts it this way: “The more we expand into the WUI, the greater the need for innovative, effective roofing solutions. Contractors have a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in protecting lives and properties.”

3 Takeaways:

• Underlayment as First Defense: Fire-resistant roofing underlayment plays a crucial role in protecting homes by preventing embers from igniting roof decks, particularly in Wildland-Urban Interface areas.  
• Material Innovations Improve Fire Resistance: New synthetic underlayments with fire-retardant properties replace older materials like fiberglass, offering enhanced durability, ease of installation, and heat resistance for homes with metal roofs or solar panels.  
• Marketplace Solutions for Wildfire Protection: Manufacturers like Owens Corning Titanium, GAF, Polyglass, and Westlake Royal offer innovative underlayments designed to improve fire resistance and comply with fire safety codes critical for protecting homes in high-risk wildfire areas. 

In light of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, several organizations are providing critical support to affected communities. Here are some reputable charities you can consider supporting:

American Red Cross: Provides shelter, food, and emotional support to those affected by disasters. Donations to their Wildfire Relief Fund assist in delivering aid to wildfire victims. 

California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund: Established in 2003, this fund supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts for those affected by wildfires, including rebuilding homes and providing mental health services. 

LAFD Wildfire Emergency Funding: The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports the Los Angeles Fire Department by providing essential equipment, training, and public outreach programs to supplement city resources.