Returning to your residence after a disaster can be an emotional and challenging experience. Below are recommended actions to guide you through assessing damage, filing insurance claims and locating resources to help you start your recovery.
Tips for Returning Home
Disclaimer: This information is general safety guidance. For official directives, always follow instructions from local emergency managers, fire authorities, public health, police and utilities.
Immediate Safety Precautions
Wildfire impacts don’t end when the flames are out. Post fire conditions can include flash flooding, debris flows, unstable ground, weakened trees, damaged utilities, and hidden hot spots. Use this guide to stay safe during re entry and early recovery:
- Make sure fire officials or local incident command have cleared your property for re‑entry. Follow your local emergency management office on social media.
- Drive slowly and watch for hazardous trees, loose rock, burned guardrails, damaged utility poles and blocked roads or driveways.
- Keep your phone on with the sound up and make sure it's fully charged.
- Consider getting a NOAA weather radio and keeping it on so you can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts or
ORAlert.gov updates, weather warnings, and any renewed evacuation notices.
- Review your evacuation plan and be ready to leave again if conditions change.
- Make sure everyone entering the area has a proper set of
personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety equipment.
- Inspect trees and utility poles carefully; avoid areas where trees are deeply charred, leaning, cracked, or showing root damage.
- Look for smoldering embers on roofs, gutters, decks, vents, crawl spaces, wood piles, and debris piles.
- Walk your driveway and entry path. Move debris aside to establish temporary access.
- Stay clear of any damaged utility equipment. Immediately report downed lines, exposed wires, damaged gas meters, or broken water infrastructure.
- Watch for erosion, runoff, or debris‑flow risk, especially if you live below or downstream of burned slopes.
- Use a flashlight to inspect the exterior first—roof, eaves, vents, siding, and crawl spaces.
- Check for the smell of gas around tanks, meters and lines. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and contact your gas provider.
- If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911 immediately and report the downed line. Then contact your local utility provider.
- Make sure the structure and entry path appear stable before going inside.
- Ensure the main breaker is OFF before restoring electricity. If the meter is damaged, do not attempt to restore power. Call your electric utility immediately and take pictures of the damaged meter.
- Turn off propane tanks or heating‑oil systems until a qualified technician inspects them.
- If you rely on a well, have it evaluated before using the water for drinking or cooking.
- Do not use tap water until your water provider or local public health authority confirms it is safe.
- Have solar or backup power systems inspected before use.
- Enter cautiously. Check for sagging ceilings, cracked walls, warped floors, structural shifts, leaks, or water damage from firefighting.
- Inspect attics, crawl spaces, vents, and other hidden areas for ash, embers, or lingering heat.
- Test smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and any home monitoring systems.
- Throw away food exposed to heat, smoke, soot, or spoilage from power outages.
- Ventilate the home by opening windows and doors if conditions are safe.
- Take clear photos or video of all damage for insurance.
- Begin debris removal only after local authorities permit it and follow Oregon's required disposal procedures.
- Remove flammable materials and restore defensible space around your home. Be aware that structure burns leave behind toxic debris, so make sure you work within Department of Environmental Quality recommendations.
- Clean gutters, downspouts, and drains of ash, soot, and debris.
- Monitor slopes, hillsides, and drainage areas for shifting soil or debris‑flow indicators. Especially once the rainy season begins again. Burn scars repel water and can cause flooding to occur in areas it hasn't before.
- Re‑inspect your property daily—especially after wind and rain.
- Visit the Department of Environmental Quality's How to Safely Clean Up Ash and Debris from Burned Buildings and Advice for Returning to a Home that Survived a Wildfire for more in-depth tips on clean-up.
- Get professional inspections for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems before making repairs.
- File insurance claims promptly and keep receipts for all recovery expenses.
- Reach out to the Division of Financial Regulation's consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll free) or email DFR.InsuranceHelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for insurance help or visit their website if you have issues with your insurance claim.
- Update your wildfire evacuation plan and restock your emergency supplies.
- Stay alert for flash flooding, falling trees, landslides, and other delayed hazards common in post‑fire landscapes.
- Follow local recovery guidance and stay connected to your county emergency management office, and local community resource pages.
- Get plenty of rest, drink water, and ask for help.
- Check in with neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones for mutual support.
- Watch for signs of distress such as fear, anger, sadness, worry, frustration, changes in sleep, appetite, energy or behavior, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, worsening physical health, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
- Let people share at their own pace and without judgment. Remember everyone, especially children and teens, expresses emotions and needs differently.
- Encourage rest and connection with familiar routines and supportive people.
- Review FEMA's “Helping Children Cope with Disaster" guidance (en Espanol).
Ask for help:
- AgStress Hotline, call or text 833-897-2474
- Disaster Distress Helpline, 1‑800‑985‑5990 or text “TalkWithUs" to 66746
- Call or text 988 the suicide prevention hotline
- Call 211 or visit 211info.org for additional resources.
- Be on the lookout for continued recovery resources shared by your local emergency management office and other community service organizations through radio, social media and paper fliers.
- Also look to organizations that may be assisting with damage assessment, debris clean-up, and donated resources, like:
- American Red Cross, 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
- The Salvation Army
- United Way
- Public agencies, such as the county public health department
- Local faith-based and nonprofit organizations
More Resources