The California wildfires have left many residents returning to homes that, while not destroyed, are impacted by smoke, soot, and ash. This is also an unfortunate experience that people in other regions may experience as wildfires become more common in areas that weren’t previously impacted by such events.

Cleaning up safely and effectively is crucial to protect your health and restore your living environment. This guide offers actionable steps for surface and air cleaning to help you navigate the aftermath of a wildfire.

 

Health Impacts of Smoke and Ash

For everyone’s safety, it’s crucial to clean thoroughly and carefully. Wildfire smoke and ash can contain particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other harmful chemicals. The ashes from a building fire are different from a woodland fire, due to the materials that have burned inside homes and businesses. 

The ashes and smoke released from burning buildings contain a dangerous mix of pollutants, including:

  • Harmful gases like nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), ozone, and formaldehyde
  • Industrial chemicals such as solvents and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, copper, and mercury
  • Agricultural residues, such as herbicides and pesticides
  • “Forever chemicals” like perfluorinated compounds (PFAS)
  • Plastic-related pollutants such as bisphenols and phthalates
  • Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins
  • Asbestos fibers, commonly found in older building materials

What makes this toxic cocktail even more hazardous is that the combustion process breaks many of these substances into ultrafine particles. These particles are small enough to be inhaled, enter the bloodstream, and travel throughout the body – affecting vital organs, including the brain. And this isn’t a minor exposure; the levels of these toxicants are far from negligible.

Exposure to these substances may cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or fatigue in the short-term, they can be carcinogenic in the long-run. Avoiding exposure during cleanup is essential, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions, are pregnant, or are an older adult.1

Infographic explaining, “Pollutants released from burning buildings include: Harmful gases , Industrial chemicals, Toxic heavy metals , Agricultural residues, ‘Forever chemicals’, Plastic-related pollutants, Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and Asbestos fibers. The background is a very light gray and the bottom has the appearance of clouds or smoke. The words, “Austin Air Systems,” are in the bottom center in royal blue.

Protect Yourself During Cleanup

The danger of the fire itself may be gone but hazards remain until a full and thorough cleanup is complete. Be mindful and do the following:

  • Wear proper gear: Use a well-fitted NIOSH-certified mask or respirator (e.g., N95 or P100). Be sure not to have any exposed skin to minimize skin contact with ash – this means wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed toe shoes with socks, and gloves.2
  • Limit exposure: Avoid cleanup activities if you are in a high-risk group, such as individuals with heart or lung conditions, such as asthma.
  • Keep children and pets safe: Ensure children and pets stay away from contaminated areas during cleanup.
  • Take breaks: Clean for limited periods and step outside for fresh air regularly – even if you’re properly masked.

Infographic explaining how to, “Protect yourself during post-fire cleanup: Wear proper gear, Limit exposure, Keep children and pets away, Take breaks, Avoid direct contact with ash, If you must handle ash, do so carefully.”

Step 1: Surface Cleaning

Ash and soot can settle on every surface in your home, requiring thorough cleaning to prevent exposure:

  1. Walls, Furniture, and Floors: Use a mild soap or detergent. Some recommendations from the American Red Cross include trisodium phosphate (4-6 tablespoons) or bleach (1 cup / 8 oz) per gallon of warm water. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly to avoid mold.3 Avoid harsh chemicals or vinegar, as they may react with ash.
  2. Carpets and Upholstery: Vacuum using a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner or steam clean these surfaces.
  3. Hard Surfaces: Mist surfaces with water before sweeping to prevent the dust from becoming airborne. Avoid dry sweeping and dusting, which can stir up particles, opt for vacuuming instead.
  4. Post-cleaning precautions: Remove shoes and clean pets’ paws when entering the house to prevent reintroducing ash.

 

Step 2: Air Cleaning

Wildfire smoke can leave lingering toxins and odors in the air. Effective air cleaning is essential:

  1. Air Purifiers: Use air cleaners equipped with HEPA filters to remove particulate matter and activated carbon filters to address VOCs like benzene. Austin Air purifiers, recommended by the California Air Resources Board, are an excellent option with more HEPA and activated carbon than any other air purifiers on the market. The Austin Air HealthMate Plus is best equipped to remove pollutants from a wildfire with activated carbon impregnated with potassium-iodide and zeolite.
  2. Ventilation: When safe, open windows and doors to air out your home. Avoid this step if outdoor air quality remains poor. You can check the air quality in most weather apps.
  3. Avoid Ozone Generators: While some devices claim to neutralize odors, ozone can pose significant health risks and damage materials. Use only under the guidance of a professional, in unoccupied spaces, and then thoroughly air out the area before re-entering.

 

Step 3: HVAC System Maintenance

Wildfire smoke can infiltrate HVAC systems, affecting indoor air quality:

  • Upgrade Filters: Install a MERV 11 or higher filter if compatible with your system. Replace filters monthly for up to a year post-cleanup.
  • Clean Ducts: Consider professional cleaning to remove ash and soot from air ducts.
  • Inspect Units: Rinse off  outdoor air conditioning units and furnace air intakes.

Infographic explaining, “Recommended actions for post-fire clean-up: Step 1: Surface cleaning, Step 2: Air cleaning, Step 3: HVAC maintenance.” The words Austin Air Systems are in the bottom center in royal blue. There is an illustration of a flame in the bottom right corner.

Additional Tips for a Safe Cleanup

We can’t stress the importance of safety enough:

  • Avoid direct contact with ash: Wash off ash from skin, eyes, or mouth immediately.
  • Protect vulnerable individuals: Children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions should stay away from cleanup activities.
  • Handle ash carefully: Ash can cause chemical burns when wet. Wear goggles and protective clothing during cleanup.

 

Long-Term Air Quality Maintenance

Even after cleaning, maintain air quality with ongoing use of high-quality air purifiers and regular HVAC maintenance. These measures will help reduce the risk of lingering smoke-related pollutants and odors.

Returning home after a wildfire can be overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can create a safe and healthy environment for your family. For more detailed guidance, download our Wildfire Toolkit today!

If you or someone you love is in an area impacted by wildfires, the best air purifier for you is the Austin Air HealthMate Plus – it is designed to remove a wide range of gases, chemicals, VOCs, and formaldehyde. Its broad-spectrum filtration makes it an excellent choice for those exposed to wildfire smoke. (Bonus: it provides dentists and their patients with effective protection against airborne contaminants.)

Stay safe everyone!

 

 

REFERENCES

 

1 Indoor air quality after a fire. (n.d.). Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. https://cdphe.colorado.gov/iaq-fires. 

2 Wildfire Smoke Factsheet. (n.d.). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In EPA- 452/F-18-004. https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/protect-yourself-from-ash-factsheet.pdf. 

3 Cleaning up after a fire. (n.d.). American Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/cleaning-up-after-fire.html.

Austin Team
Austin Team