When a skeleton or zombie is underneath a barrier block, the will continue to burn. I am not sure if this is a feature or something that was skipped over.
I don't think this is intended because, well... it's a block. Even leaves block light, so why don't barriers
Environment
Toshiba - Windows 10 - 4x Intel i3 Core Processor
Java version 1.8.0_25
WAI since a barrier is technically invisible.