Tantallon Wildfires and Roofing Damage

The 2023 Tantallon wildfires had a massive impact on homes across Hammonds Plains, Upper Tantallon and surrounding areas. While some damage was obvious and immediate, many roofing issues didn’t show up until months later — especially on homes that were exposed to extreme heat, heavy smoke, or airborne debris.

How wildfire heat affects shingles

Shingles are designed to handle sun and summer heat, but wildfire conditions are completely different. Intense radiant heat can prematurely dry out asphalt shingles, making them brittle long before their expected lifespan.

In some cases, shingles don’t crack right away — instead, they slowly lose flexibility. Over time, wind and winter weather take advantage of this, leading to curling, lifting, and eventual leaks.

Smoke, ash and particulate damage

Even homes that weren’t physically touched by flames often experienced heavy smoke and ash exposure. Fine particles can settle into roof surfaces, vents, and flashing areas.

Over time, this debris traps moisture, accelerates surface breakdown, and clogs roof venting systems. Poor ventilation then increases attic humidity, which leads to mold growth and roofing system rot.

Gutters and drainage after wildfires

Fire debris also clogged gutters and valleys in many Tantallon-area homes. This causes water to back up against shingles and fascia, especially during heavy rain or snow melt.

We’ve seen multiple cases where wildfire debris directly contributed to water intrusion months later during winter storms.

Warning signs your roof was affected

• Shingles appearing faded or brittle
• Grit or debris collecting around roof vents and valleys
• New leaks or ceiling stains appearing after heavy rain or snow
• Unusual granule loss in gutters or on the ground

Should you get your roof inspected?

If your home was anywhere near the Tantallon wildfire zone — even if it "looked fine" — it’s worth having your roof professionally inspected.

We’ve seen too many delayed failures where damage was invisible at first, especially around flashing, ridges, and vent penetrations.