It’s June, which means the risk of wildfires has become a real threat. On Tuesday, June 25, the Del Mar area faced evacuations and road closures due to a bush fire. Other areas in California have faced similar emergencies.

It’s always best to be prepared in these kinds of situations. You don’t want to be caught not knowing what to do when you see smoke and hear sirens wailing. At Fast Affordable Restoration, we are familiar with fire season. Restoration and mitigation are our business, so we’ve thought long and hard about how to prepare for this tragedy. If you’re unsure where to start in your preparation, you’ve come to the right place.

Preparing for California Fire Season

Understanding Fire Risks in California

California’s wildfire season is a year-round threat, but our state’s peak wildfire season lasts from June to October. It’s not hard to guess the reason: Dry heat and extreme temperatures.

Wildfires can significantly threaten lives, businesses, and homes in the San Diego area. It’s important to understand the season's risks and take the necessary precautions to lessen the damage and prevent further destruction, ensuring your family, friends, and assets remain safe.

Creating a Fire Emergency Plan

Creating and implementing a fire evacuation plan at your workplace and home is essential. You might consider the following when creating your fire plan:

• Plan escape routes. These escape routes should be clear paths employees or family members can take to exit the building. Depending on the location of employees or family members, you may want to plan several escape routes.
• Determine a meeting place. You should determine a place where everyone can meet after they have exited the building. Depending on the scope of the fire, this will be closer or farther away.
• Collect equipment and supplies. It’s important to have a decent supply of food, water, and first-aid supplies. Fires are unpredictable, so you want to be sure you have the essentials packed for at least the first 48 hours after the tragedy.
• Develop an emergency communication plan. Always keep a list of emergency contacts on hand. (You might add our name to the list.) Assign a specific person to call 911 if there is a fire. The fire department plays a crucial role in responding to fire emergencies, ensuring safety, and mitigating damage.
• Create a check-in process. It's a good idea to have a system for communicating with employees and family members after a fire.

The scope of the plan should depend on the type of fire. Your house or workplace fire plan should look different from your wildfire plan. Elements like communication and supplies should remain the same, but your meeting place and evacuation process should look different.

Your fire plan should be memorized and practiced. Emergencies are unpredictable, so it’s best to make sure that everyone is as prepared as possible.

What to Do After a Fire: Fire Damage Assessment

The time after a tragedy is critical. What you do in the first couple hours after a fire can make all the difference in the fire restoration process. Having a plan for the recovery process after a fire is crucial to ensure a smooth and efficient restoration. Here are a few things you should do soon after a fire:

• Evacuate and call 911. Don’t waste time trying to grab your valuables. Get out of the situation and call 911 to get the help you need.
• Do not attempt to re-enter the building. Once the authorities have deemed the building safe, you can re-enter, but entering a recently destroyed building can be extremely unsafe.
• Contact a fire damage restoration company. A professional restoration company can help you with fire damage assessment and cleanup, assess the damage, and develop a plan for restoration. Fire damage repair is crucial, and we offer 24/7 repair services at Fast Affordable Restoration.
• Take photos and videos of the damage for insurance purposes. This will help with the insurance claims process.

Fire Damage Restoration and Recovery with Fast Affordable Restoration

The fire damage restoration process involves several steps, and prompt fire damage restoration services are essential to minimize further damage. Comprehensive fire restoration services include emergency board-up, demolition, soot removal, deodorization, and complete reconstruction. Quick and thorough smoke damage cleanup is vital to prevent further damage. Deodorization is necessary to mitigate lingering smoke odor. Soot removal is important to prevent permanent stains and health hazards.

At Fast Affordable Restoration, we provide fire damage restoration services, which include a series of steps to restore your property after a fire. We understand the importance of prompt fire damage restoration services in minimizing the emotional and financial struggles caused by fires, and we are here to help you get back on your feet after an unexpected emergency has occurred. We provide a variety of services that can help you restore your home and peace of mind:

• Fire Damage Restoration
• Smoke Damage Restoration
• Water Damage Restoration
• Property Damage and Loss Consulting
• Aid in the Insurance Claims Process

If you have experienced any fire damage or have questions regarding our other restoration processes and services, don't hesitate to contact us today!