New England Style Doesn’t Work for California

Posted on October 28, 2003 in Disasters

The New Englandization of California has also contributed to its flammability. So many people want wood shingle roofs so that they have that “country feel”. Or they choose asphalt. Spanish tile roofs cost more, but when the cinders fall on them, they don’t ignite and bring down the house. (I live in a condo like that.)

When I observed the hopscotching in San Bernardino, I noticed that the Spanish tile roofs were still standing. Many wood shingle roof houses and some with asphalt came down.

Another thing: For months and months fire stations around here have posted the sign: Got Clearance? It means that you need to be sure that any trees in your yard aren’t touching the house. Many houses that burned down failed to follow this rule. In the case of the man who I mentioned yesterday, I now remember that he had plenty of room between his house and the surrounding hedges. He wasn’t trying for the New England garden feel. The pocket mansion that I mentioned had big oaks leaning right on it. Clearance mattered.

When given the choice between saving a house with clearance and one that doesn’t, fire fighters choose the one that is more certain to save.