A fire can cause serious damage, and in some cases total loss. The building and items inside may have been badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke, and water.
You may find items that the fire did not burn but are now ruined by smoke and soggy with water used to put out the flames. Anything that you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned.
Firefighters may have cut holes in the walls and/or roof of the building to look for hidden flames or to let out heat and smoke. Cleanup will take time and patience.
General Safety Tips: USE CAUTION!
- Sorting through/cleaning burn debris is not recommended for health reasons.
- Hazardous chemicals and unsafe conditions may be present.
- Be aware of slip, trip, fall, and puncture hazards.
- If you sort through possessions, wear sturdy shoes (steel toes and steel shanks are recommended), a properly fitting N95 mask, and protective gear.
- Anything in contact with ash should be sanitized and cleaned.
- Inspect propane tanks for visible damage before turning on. Contact your service provider if you suspect your propane tank is damaged.
It is important to understand the risk to your health and safety even after the fire is out. The soot and dirty water left behind could make you ill. Do not eat, drink, or breathe in anything that has been near the flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put the fire out.
Be very careful if you touch any fire-damaged items and be sure to wash your hands afterwards. Ask the advice of the fire department, local building officials, your insurance agent, and restoration specialists before starting to clean or make repairs.
Safety
Fire ash may be irritating to the skin, nose, and throat, and may cause coughing and/or nose bleeds. Fine particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, may aggravate asthma, and may make it difficult to breathe.
- Refrain from cleaning ash and fire debris until professional hazardous material cleanup services are secured. Seek professional damage and debris removal/restoration services.
- When exposure to dust or ash cannot be avoided, use a well-fitted NIOSH-certified respirator N-95 mask.
- Children should not be in the vicinity while cleanup is in progress. Even if care is exercised, it is easy to stir up ash that may contain hazardous substances.
- It is best to not allow pets in burned areas due to the potential risk to their health and their ability to spread ash and debris.
- Clean ash off house pets and other domesticated animals if they have been in contaminated areas.
- Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants to avoid skin contact. Goggles are recommended. Contact with wet ash may cause chemical burns or irritation on skin. Change your shoes and clothing prior to leaving the burned area to avoid tracking ash into your car, home, etc.
Safety After Wildfire – More Information »
Water
If you suspect your water is contaminated, do not use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, bathe, wash or prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. Use an alternative source such as bottled water until water testing proves the water is safe for all uses.
- If you have a private well or spring in the wildfire zone, it may have been damaged due to excessive heat and/or loss of pressure. Bacteria and harmful chemicals could have entered the water system.
- If any part of your water system components or pipelines were damaged or lost pressure, do not use the water until it is tested by a certified laboratory for microbiological or chemical contaminants.
- At a minimum, the water should be tested for coliform bacteria, turbidity, pH, conductivity, color, and nitrate.
- If there are damaged plastic components or evidence of any debris entering the system, test the water for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).
- You should avoid running the well or spring water through your household piping system until the you are sure it is not contaminated.
- It is important to have repairs completed by a licensed and bonded well contractor or pump installer.
Water Testing for Private Wells »
Handwashing
Keeping hands clean during an emergency helps prevent the spread of germs and minimizes exposure to contaminants. If your tap water is not safe to use, wash your hands with soap and clean bottled water. To wash your hands properly:
- Wet your hands with clean water and apply soap.
- Rub your hands together (20 seconds) to make a lather and scrub them well.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air them dry.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Food Safety
Foods exposed to fire can be compromised. Reheating food that has become contaminated will not make it safe. When in doubt, throw it out!
- Food in cans, jars, bottles, and other permeable containers may appear to be okay, but if they have been close to the heat of a fire, they may no longer be safe. Heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe.
- Foods that are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals should be thrown away. Toxic fumes can permeate the packaging and contaminate the food. Any type of food stored in permeable packaging (cardboard, plastic wrap, etc.) should be thrown away. Food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes.
- Discard any raw foods that could have been contaminated by fumes such as vegetables or fruit.
- Chemicals used to fight fires contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware.
Food Safety After a Power Outage »
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Cleaning and sanitizing your household after an emergency is important to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.
Clean and sanitize floors, sinks, hard plastic toys, and tools in a four-step process:
- Wash with soap and hot, clean water.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Sanitize by immersing in a solution of 1 cup (8 oz/240 mL) of unscented household chlorine bleach in 5 gallons of clean water for 1 minute.
- Allow to air dry.
Please remember the following safety tips when cleaning:
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
- Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection.
- Try not to breathe in product fumes. If using products indoors, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter.
Septic Systems
Since most components of an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (also known as a septic system) are underground, there may be minimal direct impact from a wildfire.
- However, some above ground components could be affected, such as cleanouts, tank risers, lids, inspection ports, or electrical junction boxes/control panels.
- If fire trucks were driven near your tanks or across the drain field, it may have damaged the septic system components or compacted the soil.
- When flushing water contaminants out of a well, do not flood a septic system or drain field, as this can damage it.
- If your septic system appears to be damaged and cannot be used, you may wish to consider contracting a portable toilet for temporary use.
- If you notice or suspect damage to your septic system, contact a licensed septic system professional or Permit Sonoma Well & Septic Section at (707) 565-2849 for information and recommendations.