Post-Fire Cleanup Guidance

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This guidance is intended to help residents safely return to their homes after a fire, including wildfire. Do not return to your home until fire officials open mandatory evacuation areas. Learn more about what to do before a wildfire or if a wildfire is near on the DOH wildfires web page.

Returning Home After a Fire

Only return home when fire officials have reopened mandatory evacuation areas to residents. When you can return, be aware that structures damaged by fire and environmental contamination may be unsafe. 

Before beginning any cleanup, we recommend reviewing the following information to protect yourself from hazards that may be present on or around your home.

Additionally, contact your insurance company to find out if there are requirements for reimbursement. Your insurance company may need to inspect the damage before cleanup begins. See more information from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (PDF).

Refer to your local health jurisdiction or emergency management department for information and local resources after a fire, like specialized cleaning companies. If a federal, state, local, or Tribal agency is not assisting with cleanup, consider hiring a professional remediation company to evaluate hazards before you enter the property. 

Refer to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Wildfire Safety & Recovery Resources for information about hiring a professional.

To connect with certified firms and technicians, consider using the Locator Tool from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Check the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries verification page to verify contractors and businesses before hiring. 

Health Effects

Ash, debris, and smoke from any fire, including wildfire, are hazardous. 

Ash, debris, and smoke from burned buildings and structures are more toxic than from fires that only burn vegetation. Ash is the powdery, flaky residue left behind when vegetation, buildings, and other materials burn during a fire. It may look harmless or like dust, but ash can contain toxic substances and pose health risks, especially when inhaled or disturbed. 

Ash from structural fires often contains or emits hazardous chemicals like heavy metals, including arsenic and lead; asbestos; benzene, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs); polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); and other harmful chemicals from fire suppressants, paints, plastics, and building materials.

Below are the main known health effects of exposure to ash. There may be other health effects from exposure to burned building materials, other debris, hazardous chemicals from the deposited smoke residue, and leftover fire suppressant.

  • Inhaling ash can irritate your nose and/or throat. Ash particles can also damage lung tissue and aggravate breathing. 
    • Some people may be particularly sensitive, including children, as well as people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies, or other lung diseases.
    • People with heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or heart failure may also be impacted by ash exposure. It may also lead to heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest.
    • Ash particles settle on surfaces throughout your home, including on walls, countertops, flooring, and furniture. These particles are easily recirculated into the air in your home.
  • Touching ash can irritate your skin. 
  • If your home contains asbestos, moving debris and cleaning may cause asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos exposure can cause both non-cancerous and cancerous effects.
    • If you are unsure if your home contains asbestos, reach out to a qualified contractor for asbestos testing prior to disturbing any debris after a fire. Homes built before 1980 are at higher risk for containing asbestos, but even new buildings can contain asbestos.
    • Learn more about the health effects of asbestos. 
  • Ash and fire suppressants can contain high levels of heavy metals, like lead, can remain in the environment and cause serious health problems, especially children and those who are pregnant. 
  • Short-term exposure to hazardous chemicals, like PAHs and some VOCs, can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. 
    • If inhaled, these chemicals can cause dizziness, headaches, visual disorders, and memory impairment.
    • Exposure can also increase your risk of cancer.
Post-Fire Cleanup

Cleanup Considerations

Precautions when Cleaning

Exercise caution when cleaning. Keep infants, children, and pets away from ash and debris, particularly during cleanup. People who are at higher risk of health effects from smoke or ash exposure should not participate in cleanup. This includes pregnant people, people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and people over 65. We recommend the following steps to protect yourself when cleaning: 

  • Limit your time in the area. Hazardous chemicals and particles from ash negatively affect indoor air quality. 
  • Wear an appropriately fitted N95 respirator.*
    • The N95 respirator will not protect you from hazardous gases or asbestos but will help with particles. 
  • Wear disposable protective gloves (such as nitrile), shoes and booties, and a disposable coverall with a hood made of a material, like Tyvek, to protect your skin and clothing from exposure.

*Employers must consider whether a respiratory program is needed. Learn more about respirators from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. 

Assess the Area

Hazards are likely to be in and around your home after a fire. Before cleaning, assess the area by following these steps: 

  • If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately and contact your utility provider.
  • If you have a propane tank or heating oil tank and it is safe to access, turn off the valves. Contact a propane supplier to inspect the tank before using it again. 
  • If there is power, temporarily turn it off while you are assessing the area. Never use gas-powered generators within 20 feet of your home. They can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. 
  • If you think there may be asbestos contamination, hire an Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)-certified building inspector to test the area. Asbestos does not burn, and any asbestos that may have been in the burned structure could be in the ash. Contact your local clean air agency for guidance on requirements for asbestos testing, removal, and disposal.
  • Look for structural damage and water damage. Physical hazards like debris, unstable building structures, damaged or unstable trees, and downed or damaged power lines, may exist following a fire. Be aware of the risks and only return to your home once local authorities have authorized re-entry. Consult a professional as needed for further assessment and repair.
  • Do not enter enclosed spaces that have lithium-ion battery products in them, like electric vehicles or cellphones. Do not touch items with lithium-ion batteries that may have been damaged. Disturbing damaged lithium-ion batteries can result in electric shock, fire, release of toxic gases, or an explosion. See Washington State Department of Ecology’s website on lithium-ion batteries, and California Department of Public Health’s information on lithium-ion battery safety after a wildfire.  

Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Precautions

Ash and debris from structural fires can contaminate drinking water around your home. Consult with your water utility for information about your water and whether it is safe to use.

If you have a private well, it should be assessed for damage and private well water should be tested prior to use to ensure no contamination is present. At a minimum, well water should be tested for coliform bacteria. Routine periodic water testing after a fire may be necessary to ensure water remains safe, as contamination from wildfire may infiltrate into groundwater water over time. Contact your local county health department for additional information about private wells.

If you are connected to an onsite wastewater treatment system, or septic system, it should be assessed for damage prior to use. See Guidance for Septic Systems Before, During, and After a Fire, National Environmental Health Association (PDF).

Post-Cleanup Contaminants

Some waste materials from post-fire cleanup may be regulated solid or dangerous waste, such as demolition debris from partially burned structures or fire-damaged containers of cleaners or other household hazardous chemicals. For questions about proper disposal of waste materials when cleaning up after a fire, please contact the Department of Ecology Solid Waste Management Program at 360-407-6900 or Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program at 360-407-6700.

Soil on your property may also be contaminated with heavy metals. Do not mow your lawn, use a leaf blower, or otherwise disturb the soil until it’s tested for heavy metals and other potential contaminants by a qualified professional. This includes soil used for gardening, especially for growing food, as well as soil that children, pets, or livestock will touch. Soil testing is available through the Washington Choose Safe Places program for child care facilities and the Washington State Department of Ecology Dirt Alert program for eligible areas. 

Steps to Clean Outdoor Surfaces

  1. Assess the area completely before beginning cleanup, such as determining presence of asbestos. Prioritize cleaning outdoor areas with higher traffic. See Assess the Area above.
  2. Use water to mist the ash and gently scoop the dampened ash into plastic trash bags. 
  3. For hard surfaces, use a wet mop with fragrance free soap or mild detergent and water to remove remaining ash. Keep ash away from storm drains.
  4. For soft or porous surfaces, such as grass or gravel, cleaning may not be necessary if only a light layer of ash remains (i.e., surface is mostly visible), as the next rain will help wash it away. Until after the next rain, do not mow your lawn, use a leaf blower, or otherwise disturb the surface. If there is a heavy layer of ash (i.e., surface is mostly covered), or if the ash is predominantly from burned buildings, professional remediation may be needed.
  5. Double bag all ash and debris, including disposable coveralls and gloves used for cleaning, in plastic trash bags. Seal all bags. Check with your local waste disposal site for disposal information. 
  6. Wash off any ash that gets on your skin as quickly as possible with soap and clean water.
  7. Dispose of any home-grown fruits or vegetables from trees or gardens where ash has fallen. Do not eat fruits or vegetables that have come into contact with ash. 
  8. Change your shoes and clothing before entering your home or a vehicle to avoid bringing additional ash inside.

See additional resources from LA County Public Health (PDF) and California Department of Public Health for more information.

How to Reduce Indoor Smoke and Ash Exposure

Ash can make its way to indoors during and after fires. If there is substantial, visible deposition in the home (surfaces are mostly covered by ash), take additional precautions to protect yourself and consider hiring a professional contractor to clean indoors. 

If your floors have a small amount of visible ash (floors/surfaces are mostly visible), take the following steps to reduce indoor exposure:

  1. Assess the area completely before beginning clean up and determine if asbestos is present (see Assess the area). 
  2. When cleaning indoors, wear shoes, booties, disposable gloves, coveralls, and an N95 mask for safety (see Precautions when cleaning). 
  3. Wipe all indoor surfaces (including walls) with a damp cloth with fragrance free soap or mild detergent. This can help reduce indoor air concentrations of VOCs, which can cause harmful health effects.
  4. Clean all smoke and ash-affected soft materials, like small rugs, in a washing machine. Thoroughly vacuum furniture, drapes, and carpets using a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) type vacuum. Discard porous items (like upholstered furniture or stuffed animals) if they are heavily contaminated and cannot be cleaned easily. 
  5. For hard surface flooring, mop floors with fragrance free soap or mild detergent and water, then vacuum. Do not sweep with a broom. 
  6. After all visible ash has been removed, use a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter and a carbon filter on the highest setting. If you do not have an air cleaner, create and run a do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan filter (video). After a fire and cleanup, replace the filters. After cleaning, continue running your portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter and a carbon filter, as it can help remove VOCs and particles that linger in your home after a fire.
  7. Do not open windows until outdoor cleanup has finished and outdoor air quality has improved.
    • Keep windows closed on windy days. Ash from other areas may be transported to your area. 
    • Open windows when outdoor air quality is good and there is no wind. 
    • Low-cost air sensors may not measure ash in the air. If a sensor near you shows good air quality but you see ash in the air, keep windows closed.
  8. Run all the faucets in your home at once for 5 minutes. This can flush your home’s water system to remove chemicals that may be in the tap water. Consider testing drinking water quality before consuming to ensure it is safe. Periodic sampling of drinking water may be required to ensure water quality remains safe. (See Drinking water and wastewater treatment precautions).
  9. Check your HVAC system prior to turning it on. Make sure the fan is working, check for visible dust, and clean the area around intakes. Replace filters monthly until the smoke smell in your home is gone.
  10. Repeat cleaning if ash continues to be a concern in the area.

Additional Considerations

  • Use a portable air cleaner with a carbon filter to address smoke odors and indoor air quality concerns. 
  • Pay attention to your personal and loved ones’ mental health. Many people experience psychological distress following a fire. See resources and support below.
  • Keep pets away from ash and debris. Shampoo pets with fur or hair if they have ash on them.
  • Check refrigerators and freezers for spoiled food from power outages. Refer to DOH guidance on power outages for additional information.
  • Prior to performing demolition or new construction of residential buildings, check with the designated building and planning authority, as there may be permitting requirements. 

Recommendations for Schools, Child Care Facilities, Long-Term Care Centers, and Other Facilities

In addition to following building and organization policies, consider the following recommendations:

  • Do not let children play in or with items covered with ash. Young children have hand-to-mouth behaviors and may eat contaminated dirt or sand while playing outside.  
    • Remove and replace sandboxes, as there is no reliable way to remove ash. 
    • Soil and toys from childcare facilities can be tested for heavy metals for free as a part of the Washington Choose Safe Places program.
  • Clean toys, books, and stuffed toys. If they cannot be thoroughly cleaned, dispose of the item. 
  • For HVAC and additional smoke remediation, consider hiring professionals to restore the facility to the standard for fires other than wildfires.

Additional Resources

General Wildfire Information

  • Wildfires, what to do before a wildfire and when a wildfire threatens
  • Wildfires, U.S. EPA

General Post-fire Information

Local Post-fire Resources

Smoke Odor/Residue Removal Resources

Drinking Water, Private Wells, and Septic Systems

Mental and Emotional Health