As communities recover from wildfires, builders and homeowners are turning to safer, modern materials to achieve fire resistance without relying on toxic asbestos.

When the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, California, in early 2025, it left behind a familiar and heartbreaking scene: scorched earth, twisted metal, and the remains of lives turned to ash. For families like the Fongs, this wasn’t just a fire—it was the second time flames had claimed their home. In the aftermath, an important choice emerged among them: rebuild or walk away.

The Ongoing Peril of Southern California Wildfires

But for many Californians, especially in the foothills and dry shrubland areas that frame Los Angeles County, rebuilding isn’t just about establishing a new home, it’s about survival. With wildfires growing more intense and unpredictable due to climate change, cities like Altadena are becoming reluctant case studies in what it means to build fire-resilient communities in the 21st century.

This new reality brings an old, hazardous material back into the spotlight. In addition to concerns about chemicals and other toxins circulating in the air in the aftermath of the fires, unveiling hidden asbestos in the walls and floorboards of torched homes could mean exposing residents to a class 1 carcinogen well-known for its connection to devastating health consequences.

As these structures are rebuilt, it’s not enough to reuse what’s left intact. Remediating invisible fibers left behind and ensuring new materials replace the old is essential to preserving public safety.

The Asbestos Era and Its Legacy

In the early to mid-20th century, asbestos was the cornerstone of fireproof construction in the United States as well as in many other areas around the world. It was cheap, durable, and could withstand high temperatures, including fires. Mixed into insulation, walls, floorboards, siding, roofing, and even paint, asbestos could be found literally everywhere during a home’s construction. It was hailed as a “miracle mineral” for its vast abundance in nature and extensive usability across many industries.

Asbestos as a safety precaution for fires

For decades, asbestos allowed builders to construct homes that could, at least in theory, withstand the ravages of fire. In fire-prone areas—whether due to industrial risk, urban density, or proximity to natural wilderness—its use seemed a rational solution, offering some hope to homeowners that at least part of their residences’ might hold up. However, little did many of these homeowners or construction workers know, surrounding one’s family with asbestos meant potentially leaving them vulnerable to its toxic fibers.

A Hidden Danger Uncovered

By the 1970s and ‘80s, the grim truth about asbestos had come to light. When disturbed and inhaled, the substance could cause life-threatening diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, to name just a few. What was once considered its biggest asset had become its largest liability. Once embedded, asbestos lingered indefinitely, releasing microscopic fibers into the air during renovations, demolitions, or natural disasters, including fires.

Today, the U.S. regulates asbestos heavily, banning many of its uses in homes, workplaces, products, and more. Yet, the damage had already been done, and thus, in wildfire cleanup, it remains a key health concern. When aging structures built with asbestos burn, toxic fibers are commonly released into the air and soil, contaminating entire neighborhoods.

This has led to a significant obstacle in modern fireproofing: what can be used in place of asbestos when rebuilding homes to withstand fire? The answer to this question is complex, involving the assessment of suitable replacements that can prove to be as durable and reliable as asbestos once was.

Wildfires, Rebuilding, and a Tectonic Shift in Building Codes

California is no stranger to wildfires. But over the last two decades, their frequency and intensity have escalated. Long, dry summers, record heat waves, and persistent drought have created a kindling box across much of the state.

Asbestos among the problematic building materials found in Los Angeles Wildfires.

In 2025, the Eaton Fire devastated parts of Altadena, an area not previously covered by the state’s wildfire building codes – something that’s changing now, in the aftermath. New fire risk maps recently expanded the zones where strict codes apply, forcing homeowners and local governments to think differently about what it means to rebuild.

For some residents, this means facing an added cost burden of using fire-resistant materials like fiber cement siding, ember-resistant vents, tempered glass windows, and metal roofs as well as purchasing additional insurance as a failsafe. However, it also represents a chance to rid the area of lingering asbestos and rebuild asbestos-free homes able to adequately fend off future flames.

What the Codes Require & Why They Matter

California’s “Chapter 7A” building code for wildfire zones requires the following:

Non-combustible or ignition-resistant exterior walls
Class A fire-rated roofs (the highest standard)
Multi-pane or tempered glass windows
Ember-resistant vents and attic covers
Non-combustible fencing within five feet of structures

Research shows homes built to these standards are dramatically more likely to survive fires. And importantly, many of these materials are not only widely available but cost-effective when compared to traditional wood-based materials.

Still, there are gaps. Tens of thousands of homes lie just outside the newly expanded zones. These homes, often built to older standards, remain vulnerable. Without mandatory compliance, rebuilding efforts may reinforce a cycle of destruction and reconstruction that plays out with every major fire season.

The Race Against Time: Pressure to Rebuild Fast

After a disaster, the instinct is to restore what was lost very quickly so those affected aren’t displaced longer than absolutely needed. Families need shelter. Communities want normalcy. And local economies, deeply tied to property taxes and housing, can’t afford stagnation.

This is where pressure builds. Fire-resistant construction, while not always more expensive, can introduce delays: approvals for new designs, sourcing specialized materials and logistical delays, hiring experienced contractors well-versed in handling these materials. Insurance payouts may not fully cover upgraded standards, and for many homeowners, time is money.

Local governments often face a dilemma in deciding whether to prioritize time or money.

A Reverse of History: Lessons from Asbestos

In a strange twist, this urgency mirrors the same mentality that once brought asbestos into nearly every American home. The drive to build quickly and cheaply, especially in the post-WWII housing boom, led developers to embrace a new material that seemed to solve their problems. Only decades later did the costs become clear, but when they did, they were extensive, involving not only a hefty financial burden but individuals with poor health paying the price.

Today, the reverse is true. Instead of rushing to make homes fireproof at any cost, all parties involved in an area’s rehabilitation post fires must balance safety with sustainability. The danger now isn’t what’s being added to home but, rather, what might be left out.

Fireproofing Without Asbestos: Safer Alternatives for a New Generation

Modern fire-resistant materials offer the safety of asbestos without its deadly drawbacks. Here are a few leading examples:

Fiber Cement Siding: Made from a mix of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, this siding is non-combustible and highly durable.
Metal Roofing: Aluminum and steel roofs don’t ignite, and they last decades with minimal maintenance.
Tempered Glass Windows: Stronger than traditional glass, these windows can resist the high temperatures and pressure changes caused by wildfires.
Stucco Exterior Finishes: A classic choice in the Southwest, stucco is naturally fire-resistant and works well in dry climates.
Flame-Resistant Decking: Composites and specially-treated wood can resist ember ignition—critical for homes in fire zones.

Most importantly, these materials are already part of the construction industry’s mainstream. That means builders, architects, and contractors have experience using them—and homeowners have access to safer, tested products.

Cost Considerations: Fireproofing on a Budget

A common myth is that fire-resistant homes cost significantly more. While some materials are pricier upfront, the overall difference can be modest, especially when considering long-term insurance savings, lower maintenance costs, and reduced risk of total loss in a fire.

Studies show that fire-resistant construction can cost as little as 3-5% more than standard builds, especially if integrated from the start. When retrofitting older homes, the price tag can climb, but even partial upgrades, such as ember-resistant vents or safer siding, can make a meaningful difference.

The Human Factor: A Family’s Story: Patrick and Ruth Fong

Patrick and Ruth Fong’s home was a casualty of the Eaton Fire. It wasn’t their first time. A previous fire burned the same property in 1993, long before the couple owned it.

After the fire, the Fongs faced a crossroads. Do they rebuild—and risk it happening again—or start over somewhere else?

Ultimately, their ties to the community won out. They began working with a contractor to rebuild not just a home, but a safer one. Their new design includes fire-resistant siding, ember-resistant vents, and a fire-retardant roof. But every choice involves compromise. With insurance settlements stretched thin, every dollar spent on fireproofing means one less on finishes, square footage, or amenities.

Still, Ruth sees the process as more than just practical, stating, “There’s been so much grief and sadness, but then you have some glimmers of hope.”

The Fongs’ story reflects a growing awareness around the fact that wildfire resilience isn’t just about laws or materials, but about mindset as well. Homeowners, builders, and governments must all think differently about what it means to live with fire.

More communities are following California’s lead. Oregon, Colorado, and parts of Washington are considering similar wildfire building codes. Insurance companies are also taking note, offering premium discounts for fire-hardened homes.

But perhaps the biggest shift is actually cultural. Once, homes were built to resist a rare catastrophe. Now, fire is the norm, and resilience is no longer optional.

Moving Forward: A Fireproof Future Without Regret

The temptation to rebuild quickly and cheaply after a disaster is understandable. Families are displaced. Schools are closed. Businesses are shuttered. Individuals are eager to get back on their feet and regain a sense of normalcy along with their livelihood. But every shortcut carries a cost, an important lesson learned the hard way in the aftermath of the asbestos era.

Widespread asbestos use during the majority of the 20th century has since taught us that the materials we use to keep ourselves safe can become the very thing that endangers us. Today, we stand on the edge of a different but equally critical decision: to build smart, safe, and sustainable homes that can withstand the fires of tomorrow without trading safety for speed.

Rebuilding fireproof homes without asbestos isn’t just possible, it’s essential. And in places like Altadena, where wildfires have become a tragic routine, it may also be the only path towards ensuring a safer, healthier future for all who reside there.