After a Wildfire...
Incident: Eagle Trail Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/11/2010
Returning home to a wildfire landscape
Wildfires change the landscape...
Whether you evacuated during the fire or stayed throughout the Eagle Trail Fire, the fire has changed conditions around your home and in the community. Please be especially careful in this new environment.
Firefighters and equipment working: If the fire is not yet out, firefighters will be working in the area. Residents must be alert to equipment, drive slowly with their headlights on at all times, and use caution when crossing hose lays.
Hazards...
Burned trees: Shallow roots systems have burned and standing dead trees (called snags) will be falling down, especially in high winds.
Ash pits: White ash on the ground may indicate deep pockets of hot ash where roots and ground vegetation have burned and may be continuing to burn below ground level.
Hazardous smoke: Smoldering piles may include plastics or other materials that produce toxins in the smoke. Please avoid breathing direct smoke from smoldering areas.
Children and animals: Children and pets should be carefully supervised to avoid potential hazards.
Retardant Cleanup...
The orange retardant used to protect homes and resources is non-toxic and actually has a fertilizing agent. When re-wetted it becomes slick. It can be cleaned up with water, but may require a low-pressure spray or scrubbing on windows and vehicles.
Sprinklers...
Sprinklers are important when fire is threatening your home. Winds from fire can carry embers for hundreds of yards and sometimes even miles when fire behavior is extreme. When evacuating during a fire, sprinklers can be left running in place on roofs and porches. After the wildfire threat is over, the sprinklers can be removed or left in place for ash and dust mitigation.
