As the American Red Cross continues to support those impacted by the Airport Fire, Bridge Fire and Line Fire, many evacuees are beginning to return home. Although evacuation orders have been downgraded, potential dangers can remain. 

So, how can you stay safe as you return home from a wildfire? 

Remember the Basics

• Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. 
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.
• Watch for pits in the ground filled with ash. They may have hot embers underneath that could burn you. Mark them for safety, and warn your family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits.

Keep Pet Safety in Mind

• Your pet’s behavior may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive. Be aware of their well-being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.
• Take care to watch out for hotspots that could damage an animal’s paws.
• Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged.
• Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home.
• Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.
• Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

Take Care When Cleaning Up

• Follow public health rules and wear safety equipment.
• Avoid direct contact with ash.
• Protect yourself against ash when you clean up. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator.
• Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.
• Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions should not breathe in dust from ash.

Stay Healthy

• Wildfires can make drinking water unsafe. Check with your local health department about drinking water safety.
• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke, fumes, or chemicals.
• Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about using refrigerated medicines

Take Care of Yourself and Others

• Disasters are upsetting experiences for everyone involved. You may feel a wide range of emotions, especially as you return home after a wildfire. Remember, you are not alone. 
• You can contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for free if you need to talk to someone at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. 
• Click here for more information that can help you as you recover emotionally from a wildfire.

The Red Cross will continue to be there in the days, weeks, and months to come as we work with those impacted by recent wildfires and they begin their road to recovery. If you need Red Cross assistance, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or get help here.