After a Wildfire

InciWeb: After a Wildfire:

After a Wildfire......

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=631609828&size=l

Uploaded on June 26, 2007
Credits: by photog22navarro

Wildfires change the landscape...

Whether you evacuated during the fire or stayed throughout the Fire, the fire has changed conditions around your home and in the community. Please be especially careful in this new environment.

Hazards...

Burned trees: Shallow roots systems have burned and standing dead trees (called snags) will be falling down, especially in high winds.

Ash pits: White ash on the ground may indicate deep pockets of hot ash where roots and ground vegetation have burned and may be continuing to burn below ground level.

Broken glass and sharp metal edges: When fire has burned through trash heaps, sheds, etc. glass is often broken and metal edges exposed. Children and pets should be carefully supervised to avoid these hazards.

Hazardous smoke: Smoldering piles may include plastics or other materials that produce toxins in the smoke. Please avoid breathing direct smoke from smoldering areas.

Retardant Cleanup...

The orange retardant used to protect homes and resources is non-toxic and actually has a fertilizing agent. When re-wetted it becomes slick. It can be cleaned up with water, but may require a low-pressure spray or scrubbing on windows and vehicles.

Sprinklers...

Sprinklers are important when fire is threatening your home. Winds from fire can carry embers for hundreds of yards and sometimes even miles when fire behavior is extreme. When evacuating during a fire, sprinklers can be left running in place on roofs and porches. After the wildfire threat is over, the sprinklers can be removed or left in place for ash and dust mitigation.