Wildfires are a force of nature. Nature’s fury is responsible for the blaze of flames in wooded areas; drought and the earth’s changing climate play roles in the tens of thousands of wildfires that occur each year. In the United States, nearly 90 percent of wildfires are caused by people.

Responding to Wildfires

When confronted with a smoldering rage of fire, reacting with a cool head will prevent extensive damage to both life and physical structures. Remember that wildfires spread rapidly, often resembling the speed of freight trains. Escaping the fire and accompanying smoke become a first priority.

Evacuation from areas engulfed in flames should be immediate. Prevailing winds can quickly change the route of a fire, putting people, animals and buildings in harm’s way. While moving away from the fire, look out for spot fires, which ignite from embers or materials rolling down from the fire itself.

Once firefighters extinguish the flames, authorities will notify locals when conditions allow for a safe return. Be sure to find out from officials whether or not the water is safe to drink. Returning to an area ravaged by wildfire requires extreme caution.

Take care to look out for hot ash, charred trees and live embers. Smoldering debris is also dangerous. When walking on the ground, be aware of the possibility of heat pockets, which have the potential to inflict serious burns or provoke another wildfire.

After a wildfire, dust particles and ash can infiltrate the air. To prevent inhaling these particles, wear a NIOSH certified respirator. To further protect human life, wet down debris; dampening the debris with water keeps dust particles and loose ash from scattering throughout the surrounding air.

After the Fire

1. Assess the Damage

Witnessing the rampant destruction of a wildfire is distressing. Burned buildings, destroyed property and any other damage caused by the wildfire should, however, be fully documented to file an insurance claim. Be sure to avoid throwing away anything damaged by fire or not.

Evidence of damage may be noted by making a list of items destroyed by the wildfire. Upon a walkthrough of the ruined site, take ample videos, if possible. Photographs taken from a phone or camera are also accepted forms of documentation for insurance purposes.

A range of items may seem to have evaded damage from the fire, heat or smoke. However, document these items as well, since the damage may not be apparent at first. Belongings that show signs of damage should be labeled with the estimated replacement cost and date of purchase.

Fire restoration efforts may have led to water damage to the property. While investigating the structure for fire damage, also pay attention to signs of water damage. Evidence of water damage captured on video or in photographs will accelerate insurance processes.

Water damage is insidious and may be difficult to identify by an untrained eye upon an initial visual examination. Visible signs of water damage include mold and bacterial growth along the walls, ceilings and floors. Discoloration on ceilings is also indicative of serious water damage.

Though water damage may be invisible at first, it is likely to be present. Consulting a water damage assessment service will be helpful. Upon contacting the fire damage restoration service, mention water damage; the contractor will check all points of the property for potential ruin.

2. Start Fire Damage Restoration

Even though the fire is extinguished, damage can continue to destroy the structure. Soot and smoke particles are highly destructive and corrosive to anything they touch. Minute soot and smoke particles travel a far distance from where the fire burned, leading to extensive damage.

A property that is severely destroyed by a wildfire will require the services of a professional fire damage restoration company. The contractors will take an accurate inventory of damaged items, securely pack them and send the goods to an offsite location for a thorough cleaning.

If the building is too dangerous to inhabit while contractors are restoring it, alternative housing will be necessary. A homeowner’s insurance company will be the first point of contact to help arrange for temporary housing. Or, a FEMA representative can provide reliable assistance.

3. Prevent Future Wildfire Damage

After a wildfire, the ground conditions and landscape undergo significant changes, leading to a higher risk for flooding from heavy rains, mudflows and flash flooding. Vegetation destroyed by wildfire takes up to five years to restore—making flood risks higher during this period. Consider getting flood insurance.

While the property is undergoing restoration, consider adding a fire-resistant landscape around the home. Plant fire-resistant shrubs, such as hedging roses, bush honeysuckles or currant, several feet from each other to prevent future wildfire flames from spreading rapidly from one plant to the next.

If choosing to plant trees, pick ones that are suitable for a wildfire climate. Trees that are less flammable than conifers, like pine and fir, include hardwood, maple and cherry. Also maintain a well-manicured lawn and move vegetation away from the property.

Fire Restoration Contractors

Fire damage from California wildfires is prevalent. Before the next wildfire engulfs your property, keep on hand the contact information of a professional that provides fire damage restoration services. A call immediately after the catastrophic event starts the restoration process.

These professionals are highly experienced and trained to clean all remnants of smoke and soot from the fire damaged property. They can remove soot particles from marble, tile and chrome, as well as upholstery and carpeting. These technicians will also help with filing insurance claims.

In addition to fire damage restoration, these professionals provide reliable water damage restoration services. As mentioned, water damage is a likely outcome of the fire extinguishing process. Restoration professionals address both fire and water damage restoration with comprehensive services.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.