Wildfires in 2022 Lead to Fire Damage

Southern California is no stranger to wildfires. As we watch the northern part of the state beat the flames, there are a few things you can do to save your own property.

Flames Up North

Like the rest of southern California, we are currently keeping a watchful eye on the McKinney Fire, the biggest wildfire in 2022 to date. So far, it has burned more than 55,000 acres of land as we write this blog post. Combined with the Oak Fire that recently burned 19,000 acres of land, wildfire season is in full swing with no signs of slowing down. According to Time Magazine, the dry environment that the state has been going through is adding to the ‘why’ factor. The recent heatwave SoCal has been feeling along with years of drought weather is a perfect recipe for disaster.

Climate Change

The fact that climate change has raised eyebrows when it comes to fires is no surprise. It is creating larger conditions for more frequent, bigger and more unpredictable fires across California this year. Even though wildfires are a natural part of California’s ecology, the current size and frequency of the fires is a recent development, which researchers believe is due to conditions created by climate change. 

Currently, there are 60 active wildfires burning across 14 states throughout the US according to NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center). In fact, there are more wildfires now in the nation than at this point last year – about 85% higher to be exact. There has been more than 5.7 million acres of land burned so far and there are no signs of slowing down. Since climate change plays a significant role, there is even more concerned about being prepared.    

Here is what you need to know about California’s wildfires so far this year.

Wildfires - State of Emergency

On July 30 of this year, the governor of California Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Siskiyou County, just as he did for Mariposa County earlier in the week.   

This allowed open access to additional resources including increased emergency response for those California residents in need. Approximately 2,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in Siskiyou County alone. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning through Tuesday, which advised residents that strong winds and lightning could result in extreme fire behavior.

Smoke from Wildfires

More than 4,500 buildings are under threat from the McKinney Fire so far. This may also include smoke damage, which can invade air conditioner units and vents. Even if the fire is miles away from the actual area burning, the wind carries smoke along with debris that is still burning.

If this is something your home has experienced, Live Green Restoration is here to guide you through the chaos. One of the first things we will do with the property owner is inspect the damage. While the inspection takes place, it will benefit owners to do the following:

·       Take pictures of any damage you observe - Make sure to take photos of any noticeable damage you see from smoke and ash. The more you can document the damage, the more it will assist you with insurance claims purposes.

·       Stay Away - Move kids, pets and everyone else in the household away from the home and to a smoke-free area. Try your best to keep away from the residence until the restoration for fire damage and smoke is complete.

·       Have an “emergency home” - Keep in mind that smoke released in the air contains an array of toxins. These toxins may persist if not treated correctly. Taking shelter in a place (think family, friends or a local fire rescue camp) that is as far away from the fire as possible is best for everyone involved.

Preparing Before it Happens

As overwhelming as it may seem, it is not that bad if you prepare before wildfires erupt. Here are a few things to look out for when preparing your home:

·       Maintain vegetation around the home – Any shrubbery can be used as fuel for any fire. To reduce the risk of your home ending up in flames, be sure to modify and lessen bushes, trees, and any other vegetation around your home.

·       Keep combustible materials away – Propane, gas grills and even firewood should be at least 100 feet away from the main structure. Placing a ¼ mesh screen over grills will also reduce the risk of it going up in flames.

·       Cover exposed porches and sun decks – Any exposed areas of the property such as porches, sun decks and even balconies can be at risk when a fire is approaching. Be sure to clear out leaves, debris and anything stored under it.

·       Cover All Vents – Applying wire mesh over the openings of vents can save you during wildfire season. An opening can allow burning debris and embers to slide in, possibly igniting a fire. Remember, embers can travel miles away from where the fire is originally burning.

·       Cover chimneys – An excellent way to prevent wildfires is by covering the top of them with spark arrestors. Not having spark arrestors in place may cause a fire hazard if an ember escapes from the top.

·       Fire-resistant materials – If your home is not fire safe, you may want to reconsider the materials that make up your home. Stucco, concrete, rock, cement shingles, metal and concrete are all fire-resistant materials to consider.       

·       Treat windows – By installing dual or even triple-paned glass in your home as well as fire-resistant drapes or shutters will immensely reduce wildfire risk. You can also install non-combustible awnings to shield windows and use shatter-resistant glazing such as tempered or wire glass.

Wildfire Damage Experts

Allow us to work with your insurance company to get your property back to the way it was before the wildfire. Each of our crew members is professionally certified by the IICRC (for when the fire is out and water is everywhere). We also work only by OSHA’s strict guidelines regarding fire damage and how to treat it. Give Live Green Restoration a call anytime at (661) 390-8255. We are open 365 days out of the year and always available to help with fire damage of any kind.