Wildfire resilience takes center stage

By Jesse Sanchez. 

This seminar brought roofing professionals together for fire-focused education, committee collaboration and new storm investigation findings. 

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) is expanding its research focus as the roofing industry confronts a broader range of weather-related challenges. During this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, RICOWI Chair Al Janni and Executive Director Jordan Loudon joined host Megan Ellsworth to discuss the organization’s 2026 spring seminar in Sacramento, California. 

RICOWI’s mission includes providing relevant, nonbiased research on roof system performance following significant weather events, applying those findings to industry practices and communicating changes to building codes. While much of its past work has centered on wind and hail, the organization has also begun examining fire, thermal and moisture issues. Describing that evolution ahead of the seminar, Jordan explained, “This year is the first where we're really homing in on fire-related educational topics.” 

That focus shaped the 2026 spring seminar, with speakers representing the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), International Code Council (ICC) and UL. Presentations addressed wildfire behavior, mitigation strategies, wildland-urban interface code provisions, fire investigations and standards related to external fire exposure. Highlighting the practical value attendees could gain from the program, Al emphasized, “With the information that's going to be presented to them, they'll have some new information on where to look as far as ASTM goes.” 

The seminar also followed the formation of RICOWI’s Wildfire Resistant Roofing Committee, which drew interest from existing members and new participants. The educational seminar took place March 11, followed by committee meetings March 12 at the SAFE Convention Center in downtown Sacramento. Those meetings also included discussion of findings from a recently released hail investigation report. 

Beyond the seminar, RICOWI continues its post-storm field investigation work, which has informed installation guidance, testing practices and code-related developments. Reflecting on the organization’s collaborative role in the industry, Jordan shared, “The word that has always been used to describe RICOWI is ‘think tank.’” 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how RICOWI’s spring seminar brought wildfire resilience, roofing research and industry collaboration into sharper focus!