The recent Quarry Fire has some communities in Jeffco cleaning up damage that the fire left behind.
According to Jefferson County Public Health, there are some things to consider while restoring your surroundings to normal.
Colorado Community Media spoke with experts with the health department — Christine Billings, who serves as the acting deputy director and the director of epidemiology, planning and communications; and James Rada, the environmental health services director — who offered some advice for those undergoing cleanup efforts.
Acting Deputy Director and Epidemiology, Planning and Communications Director Christine Billings and Environmental Health Services Director James Rada want people to remember these seven things after a wildfire.
Both agree that the smoke is not the only consideration. People also need to consider the fire retardant used on the fire and the effects of power grid failures on a home.
Here are some more tips that Billings and Rada suggest to consider:
1. Perform a safety check.
“First and foremost, perform a safety check,” Billings said. She recommended starting with the following questions:
- Is my home even safe to enter?
- Is there debris in my way?
- Can I safely access my home?
Billings added that even after the safety check is done, you still need to make a cautious entry into the home.
2. Open the windows
Billings said the next thing to do is open windows and doors to let fresh air into the home.
“Open up those windows,” Billings said. “Bring in the fresh air. ”
Billings said that emergency services should not be letting people back into their homes unless the air is safe. If it isn’t, wait until you get the air clear.
3. Replace your filters
Billings explained that the HVAC system in the home will need attention next. She said many homes have automatic systems that bring in outside air filtered through the system. If the power was on throughout the wildfire event, then the system was pulling smoke through the filters.
“So, check your furnace, change out that filter, get a fresh filter on there,” Billings said. “You’ll probably want to change that filter more often than you would in a routine event.”
Prepare to change the filter again before the normal maintenance time. While getting new filters, Billings also said to grab new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Billings and Rada suggested scheduling a duct cleaning for the home as well. A duct cleaning is needed to ensure that the air in the home is free and clear.
“If that air has been moving, that means those external air quality components have been moving throughout your home, through all of the pieces and parts of that system,” Billings said.
4. Considerations while cleaning
According to Rada, the next step is cleaning the home, and it begins outside. He urged people to consider the ash and other agents on the ground after a wildfire.
“Try not to be tracking stuff from outside into the house once you’ve begun cleaning,” Rada said. “Oftentimes, the ground is covered with ash. Depending on what burned, the ash could contain hazardous chemicals, and we don’t want those tracked into people’s homes.”
Rada suggests gathering rugs and carpet scraps at entryways to remove ash and debris before entering the home.
“I certainly would advise folks to put rugs or carpet shreds or something outside so they could wipe their feet off,” Rada suggested. “Or, better yet, take their shoes off when they come into the house so they’re not tracking ash and potential chemical contaminants into the residence.”
Rada said to also wipe the feet of the pets after taking them for a walk before entering the home.
“Or have a place where you can clean them so that they’re not tracking things in the areas that have already been cleaned up,” he said.
5. Be careful cleaning up the smoke
Rada said soap, water and fresh air are the best agents for cleaning smoke damage from the home. He said stronger cleaning agents can react with fire retardants and other chemicals to create a bigger hazard.
Credit: Photo courtesy Jeffco Public Health
Rada said the fire retardant could have entered the home through the HVAC system and other means, so this should be considered when cleaning.
“Some harsh disinfectants, certain disinfectants like bleach, should not be used with because they generate or give off potentially dangerous fumes,” Rada explained. “So, cleaning with soap and water — mild soap and water — is the best way to go.”
Rada said to expect odors of smoke and retardant to linger even after cleaning.
“Just because of the nature of smoke and the way it permeates things, it will continue to give off gas for a period of time,” Rada explained.
He said most people right now will be dealing with smoke odors for a while.
“In our case with the Quarry Fire, I think fortunately, a lot of people were not as impacted as they could have been if that fire would have gotten into the neighborhoods. But certainly they were impacted by smoke and cleaning is going to be a big job.”
6. Check the integrity of the structures in and around the home
Billings said that cleaning in some unincorporated areas of Jeffco could overwhelm water systems, especially those already compromised by the wildfire.
Rada explained that the groundwater and sewer structures can be compromised by power outages from the fire as well.
“If they’re on a private water well, there may be a need to test the water, and also maybe a need to repair various components of the systems, because they may have been impacted by the heat,” Rada said.
7. Prepare for the next wildfire
Billings urges all Jeffco families to make plans for the next disaster. Billings said the best place to start is the following resources in the county:
For more information on preparedness for families with older adult members, check out the story, “Jefferson County focuses on emergency preparedness for older adults,” in the Jeffco Transcript.
