What to do after a wildfire
Though we can prepare our families, home, and property for fire, wildfires are an inevitable part of living in fire-prone landscapes.
Most educational material focuses on preparation. But what should we do after a wildfire has burned through our area?
-First, stay informed. Don’t try to get back to your home until local law enforcement allow you to return. Be prepared to show evidence that you belong in the neighborhood. If you’re a renter, and your driver’s license doesn’t have your home address on it, bring copies of bills, or a note from your landlord.
-When you return, be cautious and alert for potential hazards, such as downed power lines, tree limbs, or broken glass. Drive slowly with your headlights on. Firefighters may still be working in your area. Take care when passing fire equipment, or crossing hose lays.
-Even if there is no damage to your home or property, wildfire (or the firefighting effort) may have left residue behind. You may have to clean ash or brightly-colored fire retardent off your car, home, or property. The fire retardent used by the majority of fire agencies is non-toxic, and though it may become slick, it will come off with a good scrubbing. Renting a pressure washer may be a good option.
-If there is burned vegetation around your property, take care: the fire may not yet be completely out, and some of the debris may still be burning. Dry logs and underground root systems may smolder for weeks after the main fire is extinguished. Take care when walking around the property; the fire may have made the ground unstable, or undermined the roots of standing trees. Report any burning material to firefighters.
-Seemingly healthy trees may fall down days, weeks, or months after the fire because the fire undermined their roots. If you live on a slope, erosion or landslides in the weekds or months after a fire is a very real concern.
Stay safe!
Photo credit Firewise.org, with permission
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Fire destroys hundreds of homes each year in California and often burns thousands of acres of land. If your property was damaged by fire, the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help your landscape recover and to help protect your property.
http://www.clca.org/clca/education/fire-recommendations.php