After you have checked for the proper functioning of your utilities and have been cleared by a county damage assessment team, you can start the cleanup of your home and property. Start to create an inventory and take photographs of things that have been damaged from fire, smoke, water, or chemicals. Do not throw away any damaged belongings or make repairs until your have spoken with your insurance company. Keep detailed records of all cleanup costs including materials and labor to submit to your insurance company or for income tax loss deductions.
Inside Burned Structures
Ash and debris inside burned structures may contain more toxic substances than forest fire ash because of synthetic materials present in buildings. In addition, be aware that older buildings may contain asbestos and lead. If you have a structure which contains these materials, do not attempt to clean it yourself. Dust masks will not protect you from these harmful materials. For more information on asbestos removal visit, the San Diego County Asbestos website at http://www.sdasbestos.org, and view the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's Guidelines for Contractor and Homeowners at, http://www.sdapcd.org/air/smoke/Wildfire-Asb2.pdf.
If you plan to rebuild, renovate, or demolish a structure that contains asbestos, you must also submit a notice of intention to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District at least 10 days prior to starting work. For more information visit, http://www.sdapcd.org/comply/asb/asbestos.html.
A more cautious approach should be taken in the removal of ash and other debris from inside burned structures, so make sure to keep the following in mind:
- Don't work in or around any building damaged by fire until it has been examined and certified as safe for work by a registered professional engineer or architect.
- Wear proper clothing including, a long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, boots, gloves, and safety mask. For information on worker and volunteer safety during fire cleanup click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's worker safety fact sheet.
Ash Cleanup
To clean ash, remember the three C's, Control, Contain and Capture.
Control: Try to control the amount of ash particles that get re-suspended into the air. Avoid using any equipment that blows ash into the air such as shop vacuums or leaf blowers. Instead, use vacuums with HEPA filters.
Contain: Contain ash by gently sweeping indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping with a damp cloth. Ash may be disposed of in regular trash receptacles or in plastic bags. You may also allow water from cleaning to drain into landscaping as ash will not hurt plants or grass.
Capture: Protect storm drains from ash and any cleaning chemicals used while cleaning by diverting away from storm drains or recapturing.
For more information on ash cleanup contact:
Public Works Department, County of San Diego
Watershed and Stormwater Protection
Hotline: (888) 846-0800
For more information about watershed protection, visit:
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/watersheds.html
Think Blue San Diego
North County (Warner Springs, Julian, Santa Ysabel, Ranchita, Borrego Springs)
Phone: (760) 940-2893
South and East County (including Ramona)
Phone: (619) 441-4264
*For more information on how to recycle and prevent water pollution during construction or demolition, download the County of San Diego's Construction and Demolition Recycling Guide.
For questions or concerns about household hazardous waste, partially burned or exposed toxic substances visit:
http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/hazmat/hhw.html
In addition, there are several permanent facilities accepting household hazardous waste. To find the closest location to you call
1-877-R-1-EARTH.
Deceased Animal Disposal
One very sad result of fire is the loss of animals. If you have deceased animals or deceased animals on your property, it is your responsibility to remove them within 24 to 48 hours. For safety and health reasons animals must be buried,
- on sites with at least 5 acres to allow for setback and restrictions
- deep enough to cover the top of the carcass with 4 to 6 feet of compacted soil, earth, or ground to prevent invasion by other animals
- at least 100 feet from any standing or flowing water including streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, wells, and springs to prevent water contamination.
- at least 5 feet from any ground water to prevent contamination
- at least 25 feet from embankments, property lines, and structures other than homes
- at least 100 feet from homes, roads, and highways
Services that pick-up deceased animals (for a fee):
(temporarily unavailable)
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