As of this writing, the Carr Fire in Redding, is considered the seventh most destructive wildfire in California history. It is just one of 17 active wildfires in the state.
In the past week, California has witnessed an intense round of wildfires. As I sit safely in my office reading the news about those being evacuated, or worse, I cannot help but empathize. The wildfires last Fall had the same impact on me. In fact, the concern for others dealing with disaster compelled me to write this piece last year. It covers topics of evidence collection and insurance policy review, in the aftermath of a California wildfire. The only goal was to provide useful information to those impacted.
The same compulsion to provide helpful information is felt today. Smoke in the Central Valley has been an awful, constant reminder, that many are losing their homes, businesses, and lives. Just 200 miles North of our office, citizens of Redding California are experiencing the Carr Fire. Yesterday, according to USA Today, the Carr Fire was claimed to be the “seventh most destructive” fire in California history. Here is some further information about the Carr Fire from USA Today:
“Firefighters from 16 states are aiding the effort. The state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection – Cal Fire – reported promising headway Tuesday on the most devastating of the blazes: the Carr Fire in and around this city of 92,000. The death toll here is six, including two firefighters. More than 170 square miles have burned and almost 900 homes destroyed, making it the seventh-most destructive fire in state history.
While 10,000 people were allowed to return to their homes Monday, more than 25,000 people remain evacuated. And the fire was only 27 percent contained.”
According to the Cal Fire fire map, there are 17 active wildfires in California at the time of this writing. That number does not include contained fires. Firefighters throughout the state have a massive job ahead. Also, the last time I wrote about California wildfires was December, 2017, which means fire season has just begun.
These annual wildfires take an extensive toll on California. There is the emotional cost for those who lose homes, businesses, and loved ones. Before the grief subsides, individuals and families have to start putting their lives back together, and this involves significant time and financial costs. Many have to work with insurance companies and government agencies in order to rebuild their homes and businesses.
An article this morning, from the Sacramento Bee, indicated the Carr Fire destroyed “1,236 structures and damaged 225 more.” Additionally, “2,546 structures are threatened.”
I do not pretend to have answers for those dealing with catastrophic losses. What I have is a giant database of experts with whom I can consult and hopefully provide valuable information for those in a difficult position.
Seeing the number of structures destroyed, damaged, and threatened, I reached out to one of our property damage and restoration experts.
Brian Spiegel – Property Damage and Restoration Expert Witness
Brian Spiegel, of Spiegel Property Damage Consulting and Forensics, is a licensed general contractor and expert witness in property damage and restoration. He is a Master Fire & Smoke Restorer and a Certified Fire & Smoke Damage Consultant. Mr. Spiegel and his firm have addressed the aftermath of wildfires in Arizona, California, and Nevada. He has been in the property damage and restoration business for more than 40 years. You can learn more about his practice by visiting his website: spiegelexpertservices.com.
As in past publications, I have provided Mr. Spiegel with a variety of questions. Below, you’ll find the questions and Mr. Spiegel’s answers.
Nick: For those fire-damaged structures, what are the most common types of damage?
Mr. Spiegel: There are many specialized procedures for wildfire damages inside the home and outside the home. Roof damage, damaged / burned structure, electronics, all the personal contents. An engineer may be required for structural repairs. An experienced restoration contractor to evaluate what is salvageable and what is not for both structure and contents. Replacement costs; structure, painting, flooring, cabinets, landscaping, etc.
Nick: Is there a particular restoration process for structures that are damaged from a wildfire?
Mr. Spiegel: Generally speaking, wildfires can cause a variety of damages depending on the homes or commercial buildings that are in close proximity to the wildfire. Structures very close to the wildfire can burn to the ground with everything in them. Other structures will have partial burns and suffer from the smoke ash and toxic chemical residues to both the interior and exterior structure, hardscape, landscaping swimming pool and automobiles.
Other homes, miles away, can suffer from all the airborne contaminates created by the vegetation, trees, brush, etc. As well as the toxic chemicals and smoke contaminates caused by burning homes and automobiles. Smoke particulates will attach to airborne pollution particulates that were in the air previous to the fire. Wildfires produce heavy winds that also put a lot of dirt and dust into the smoke mix. I have been involved in wildfires that produced large airborne burning embers (projectiles) that will hit a roof far from the actual fire and take a house to the ground in about thirty minutes. You often see homes completely burned down and many other homes around the house that were not burned to the ground, however, the surrounding homes are impacted by all the airborne particles and will require diligent specialized restorative cleaning by restoration companies that specialize in this work.
Nick: Does a property owner have to hire a restoration company, or is that done through insurance?
Mr. Spiegel: The property owner has the right to choose whoever they want to perform the work on their home and contents. The property owner should seek an expert company to assess their damages and prepare a cost damage estimate, that expert should detail what the cost will be to return the structure and property to pre-damaged condition. This is not work the insured can do themselves or hire a maid service to do. It requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Nick: For those destroyed structures, what is the post-fire process before a property-owner is able to rebuild?
Mr. Spiegel: Obviously the insured should immediately report a claim to their insurance company. The property owner should photograph all the damage to document their damages and the impact to their neighborhood. The insured should seek a licensed contractor with fire damage experience that can determine what may or may not be salvageable.
The contractor will have to determine what the house and building materials looked like previously. This will include what the interior structure was comprised of, as the goal is to return to the home to its pre-damaged condition or establish that monetary value. The insured can help with those descriptions and if any photos are available. Often property owners try to clean themselves and do all the wrong things, such as not using HEPA filtered equipment. There are many wrong things that property owners attempt to do themselves which will make things worse.
Nick: Do you have any suggestions for those with a wildfire destroyed structure?
Mr. Spiegel: Insured should find and expert in these kind of damages as this is not just simple cleaning work. In looking for a restoration contractor find a licensed contractor with certifications and experience relating to this kind of damage. Specialized restorative cleaning requires an experienced expert and specialized equipment.
Nick: Do you have any suggestions for those impacted a by a wildfire, regarding dealing with their insurance company?
Mr. Spiegel: Again, thoroughly photograph and document all the damage to everything inside and outside the home or building.
Nick: Is there anything else the public should know? Feel free to elaborate…
Mr. Spiegel: Make sure you understand the totality of your damages. Make sure to check the credentials and experience level of people and companies rendering opinions regarding all of your property. If you receive an estimate of cost repairs from your insurance company adjuster it would be prudent for you to investigate the scope and method’s the adjuster prepared.
After answering the questions I provided. Mr. Spiegel went on to elaborate on a few additional concerns. He added a bold text to his additional information and I have provided it in full below:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING
Dangerous emissions come from wildfires; wildfires are a conglomeration of a complex mixture of particles, liquids and gases a number of atmospheric pollutants, dirt and dust. Air pollutants in the air prior to the wildfire such as diesel & auto exhaust particles etc. which agglomerate into wildfire smoke particulate adding to the mixture that impacts homes in the path of wildfire smoke.
The smoke is comprised of particles, liquids, gases, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs are carcinogenic) volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Wildfire smoke is the worst airborne pollutant, even beyond fossil fuel emissions. Wildfires cause much particulate matter (PM) to enter homes than normal pollution. Wildfire residue can cause more air pollution in two days than an entire year of normal airborne pollution sources.
I hope this information is helpful to those dealing with active wildfires and the eventual aftermath. Stay safe!