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Burned Structures
Photo Courtesy of Kenneth M. Greene,
Greene-Taffy Productions
Don’t work in or around a burned structure until it is 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 (preferably one rated N-95 or P-100).
Ash and debris inside burned structures may contain more toxic substances than forest fire ash because of synthetic materials present in buildings.
Older buildings may contain asbestos and lead. Do not attempt to clean these burned structures yourself. Dust masks will not provide protection from these harmful materials.
For more information on asbestos removal visit, the San Diego County Asbestos Website and view the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District’s Guidelines for Contractors and Homeowners.
Debris Cleanup
Photo Courtesy of Fire Safe Council of San Diego County
In general, debris removal after a fire is the responsibility of the property owners and expenses may be covered in homeowner insurance policies.
A list of haulers, recycling information, and hazardous waste disposal information are available from the Department of Public Works by calling 1-877-R-1-EARTH.
In major fire disasters, the County may provide free debris removal assistance, including burned vehicles and trailers, to residents in unincorporated areas. For more information, contact the San Diego County Department of Public Works at 800-253-9933.
Photo Courtesy of Kenneth M. Greene
Greene-Taffy Creations
Wear personal protection when cleaning fire debris: protective glasses or goggles, dust mask, long-sleeved shirt and long pants, leather gloves for debris or rubber gloves for hazardous material, and boots with thick soles.
Before sifting thorough debris, spray with a fine mist of water to minimize dust. Watch out for sharp objects, dead and injured animals, and snakes.
Outside Your Home
Do not attempt to return home or cross barriers or caution tape without permission from law enforcement officials.
Be on the lookout for:
Photo Courtesy of Kenneth M. Greene,
Greene-Taffy Productions
Photo Courtesy of Kenneth M. Greene,
Drinking Water Safety
Photo Courtesy of Fire Safe Council of San Diego County
Use bottled water or purified tap water for drinking and cooking until your water provider determines water supplies are safe.
Private well owners should test their wells. Contact the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health at 858-565-5173 for assistance.
To purify water:
Food Safety
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Photo Courtesy of Kenneth M. Greene,
Greene-Taffy Productions
Carefully check all food items before consuming. During a fire, food items can come into contact with heat, smoke, ash, debris, water, and fire-fighting chemicals. When in doubt, throw it out!
Check all canned goods, bottles, jars, and prepackaged foods for:
Entering your Home
Photo Courtesy of Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District
Check for the following before attempting to enter your home:
Photo Courtesy of San Diego County Department of Planning and Land Use
Do not smoke, attempt to light anything, or turn on electrical switches if you suspect electrical damage or gas leaks. Use a flashlight instead.
Open windows and doors to allow airflow for smoke odors and any water damage.
After checking your home, contact local official to see if clearance from a damage assessment team is needed before beginning cleanup.
Ash Cleanup
Photo Courtesy of Fire Safe Council of San Diego County
To clean ash, remember the three C's, Control, Contain and Capture.
Control the amount of ash that gets re-suspended into the air. Avoid using equipment that blows ash such as shop vacuums or leaf blowers. Use vacuums with HEPA filters instead.
Contain ash by gently sweeping hard surfaces followed by wet mopping with a damp cloth. Ash may be disposed of in regular trash receptacles or plastic bags.
Capture wash runoff by directing into landscaping or otherwise diverting away from storm drains. Storm drains lead to waterways and beaches.
