Post-wildfire
Take precautions when returning home after a wildfire.
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Returning home
- Do not return home until authorities say it is safe.
- Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
- When cleaning, wear protective clothing – including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy, thick-soled shoes – during clean-up efforts.
- Use a respirator to limit your exposure and wet debris to minimize breathing dust particles. People with asthma, COPD and/or other lung conditions should take precautions in areas with poor air quality, as it can worsen symptoms.
- Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
- Send text messages or social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
- Be aware of the dangers and impacts of asbestos exposure on victims and firefighters, Mesothelioma.
- Returning Home After a Wildfire, CAL FIRE.
Floods follow fires
After a wildfire, the risk of flooding and mudflow increases due to the compromised landscapes. Wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions. Normally, vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. However, wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water, creating conditions ripe for flash flooding and mudflow. Without plants to hold the earth in place, even a small amount of rain can start a mudflow. This can happen quickly and with little warning.
Get flood ready! Visit Santa Clara Valley Water District for more flood protection resources.
Sandbag distribution sites are located throughout the County of Santa Clara. The sites may only be stocked with sand and empty bags during storm events. While shovels are provided at these sites, you may want to bring one, just in case.