Immediate action is essential after wildfire damage. This guide covers safety, documentation, insurance and professional restoration.
The hours after a wildfire are confusing. Homeowners may be dealing with evacuation, temporary housing, insurance calls and uncertainty about whether the property can be saved. A simple order of operations helps protect people first and prevents avoidable mistakes during the recovery process.
Follow evacuation orders and return only after receiving clearance. Do not enter rooms with visible structural damage, exposed wiring or standing water. Keep vulnerable family members away from smoke residue and ash.
Photograph and video the exterior, interior and damaged belongings before moving or discarding items. Create an initial list of affected property. Preserve receipts for emergency expenses and temporary accommodations when applicable.
Report the loss promptly and request a claim number. Ask what documentation is required, whether temporary repairs are authorized and how emergency mitigation should be handled. Keep a written log of conversations, names and dates.
Reasonable emergency measures may include securing openings, stopping a safe and accessible water source or protecting undamaged contents. Do not perform repairs that require entering an unsafe area. Photograph temporary measures before and after they are completed.
Wildfire recovery can involve soot removal, odor treatment, water mitigation, contents cleaning and reconstruction. A restoration team should identify the full scope of work, explain what can be restored and provide documentation for the claim.
You do not have to coordinate every part of wildfire recovery alone. Contact JGB Restoration for an assessment and a clear plan for cleaning, mitigation and reconstruction.
