Wildfire Prep and Cleanup
24 HR Wildfire Restoration, Cleanup, & Repairs
- Wildfire Damage Inspection
- Smoke Damage Cleaning
- Soot Cleaning
- Smoke Deodorization
- Wildfire Damage Restoration
- 24/7 Response
- Insurance Approved
- 5 Star Rating
- Free Estimates
- Local Company
Your Wildfire Damage Restoration Company
Unfortunately, Oregon is no stranger to the dangers presented by wildfires. Changing weather patterns can shift the direction of a wildfire without warning, sending flames and smoke uncomfortably close to your property. Regardless of whether the blaze burns the property or doesn’t, there are always residual effects, including a nuisance smoke smell and charred debris. These aspects of a wildfire are an unwelcome reminder of the surrounding destruction, in addition to being significant health hazards. This is why ServiceMaster Restore hopes to educate our clients about the basics of wildfire prep and cleanup.
ServiceMaster Restore also recognizes that sometimes the unthinkable happens. A wildfire can strike your home no matter how much preparation you do. In these instances, our compassionate team is here to ease your stress and get you back in your home with wildfire damage restoration, emergency wildfire boardup services, wildfire smoke damage cleaning and deodorization, and wildfire damage repairs. Contact us for 24/7 response.
If you have been impacted or displaced by a level 3 evacuation, contact your insurance agent immediately to get help covering your expenses.
Disaster Resources:
Register with FEMA or call (800) 621-3362.
Bootleg Wildfire Emergency Response Team
Same Day Inspections Available! The Bootleg Wildfire Emergency Response Team will work to clean the smoke damage to your home in 1-3 days (depending on size). Rush processing of essential clothing and bedding is available, as well as home deodorization.
Schedule a Free Inspection!
How to Prepare Your Home for a Wildfire
First and foremost, ServiceMaster Restore cares about the health, safety, and wellbeing of our clients. For this reason, we always recommend evacuating when necessary. Remember — your home and your belongings are not near equivalent in value to your life or those of your loved ones. As a wildfire approaches, use these wildfire prep and cleanup tips to minimize the damage:
Before a Wildfire
- Clear flammable vegetation (leaves, limbs, twigs, vines), debris, and trash away from building structures. Trim tree limbs that are within 15 feet of the ground. Keep your grass cut.
- Request that your power company cut branches near power lines.
- Maintain 10 feet of clearance around propane tanks and grills. Keep a screen over the grill. Do not keep gasoline and other flammable materials near the base of buildings.
- Look over your homeowner’s insurance policy to review your coverage. Create an inventory of your home’s contents, including model numbers for electronics and higher value items, and measurements for furniture. Snap clear pictures of your belongings for reference. This can greatly speed up the insurance claims process.
- Develop an evacuation plan with your family. Include a place to meet up should you become separated. Include accommodations for your pets in the plan.
As a Wildfire Approaches
- Shut attic eaves, basement vents, windows, doors, and other entry points. Use non-combustible coverings over access points to reduce radiant heat.
- Turn off natural gas, propane, and other fuel sources.
- If you have a fireplace, open the damper. However, be sure to close the fireplace screen.
- Keep garden hoses hooked up to outdoor water faucets. Fill pools, hot tubs, rain barrels, garbage cans, tubs or other large containers with water.
- If in doubt, evacuate! Monitor warnings and news outlets for updates. Keep in mind that none of your belongings or property is worth risking your life over. All of these items are replaceable.
How to Document Wildfire Damage
No matter how much wildfire prep and cleanup you do, the unpredictability of nature may mean that your home or business is still damaged. If you find yourself in this situation, be sure to document all damages. Use these tips to ensure your insurance company covers the claim in its entirety.
- If you have been impacted or displaced by a level 3 evacuation, contact your insurance agent immediately to get help covering your expenses.
- Register with FEMA or call 1-800-621-3362.
- Take pictures of all visible damage. See your doctor with any health concerns or injuries related to the fire.
- Be cooperative and coordinate closely with your insurance representative as they attempt to inspect and estimate the property. An inspection and estimate are both needed for the claim to be approved. Keep detailed notes of any discussions you have.
- It never hurts to ask for a second opinion, especially since you will likely receive varying guidance from wildfire prep and cleanup companies.
- If your insurance company is not willing to pay for proper inspections and testing, hire an independent expert. Ask for documentaiton of your insurance company's denial and know that it is their legal obligation to thorougly investigate all damages, both visible and hidden.
- Be mindful that your insurance company may not cover damage that isn't visible, such as hidden smoke and ash.
- It is impossible to know if belongings can be salvaged until an attempt to do so is made. If the possessions are irreparably damaged, request that your insurance company give you a fair replacement value settlement. Claim the replacement value and the cleaning cost.
- Your insurance provider likely has a list of approved restoration services companies they work with. However, you should not rely on this opinion alone. If you use a company recommended by your insurer and are not pleased with the results, take this up with your insurance company to resolve disputes. Insist that fixes are made should a restoration company damage your property while performing services.
Seeking Wildfire Damage Restoration Services After a Wildfire
Wildfire Damage Restoration
Once the fire has been put out, you’ll want to call your insurance company and ServiceMaster Restore. We’ll immediately dispatch a trained technician to evaluate the extent and severity of the wildfire damage. An accurate estimate and scope of work are developed and sent to your insurance adjuster. Emergency board up is the next step, and prevents vandals, animals, and the elements from accessing the home. Should there be any water damage from firefighting efforts, we’ll immediately begin water extraction and drying. We remove the contents of your home for safe keeping and cleaning. To minimize the spreading of smoke, the affected area is contained. Our restoration specialists clean every part of the structure including ceilings, walls, light fixtures, windows, doors, and duct-work.
Wildfire Smoke Damage Cleaning
Depending on the items that were burned in the fire, there will be a considerable and often overwhelming odor that penetrates every permeable surface in your home or business. Things like drapes, carpets and upholstery are severely affected by smoke odor, but also walls and ceilings will have to be treated and deodorized before your property will be deemed habitable. Our smoke odor experts use a variety of odor removal methods and will work with you until you are satisfied that no traces of smoke odor remain. Every emergency disaster is unique, including widespread wildfires. At ServiceMaster Restore, we know that time is of the essence and guarantee quick, accurate estimates. Our compassionate experts are here to help you each step of the way. Call us today for fire restoration and smoke damage cleaning.