After fire damage, it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the building and contents. Timely action can be a great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration.

DO…

• Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other brightwork by washing with detergent and applying a coating of Vaseline or oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpeting.
• Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
• Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is shut off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow air circulation.
• Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sink and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter.
• Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.
• Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residues are present.
• Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.
• Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage.

DO NOT…

• Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy residues or debris.
• Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
• Turn on computers, TV’s, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked

Soot (Furnace) Damage

While soot may resemble smoke residues from a fire, the restoration of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect action can make restoration more difficult and delay the return to normal.

DO…

• Change and save the old furnace filter.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, draperies and carpets.
• Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.

DO NOT…

• Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.

Home Owners Insurance | 11 June 2011

For those that have had to evacuate, your Home Owner’s Insurance has a part of your policy that includes paying for living expenses while evacuated.  Expect to have some kind of deductible, but hotel, food, gas, and other necessary living expenses are usually covered.  Please check with your own respective insurance company to get the most accurate information on the what your policy contains.  Many policy’s deductibles are either $500 or $1,000.00

For those people that have thrown any of these receipts away then you could use your online banking transaction log to show the expenses.  I’ve had to use this before and other companies (i’ve never tried with an insurance company) have accepted this log alongside receipts.  Get yourself a file and start saving everything.

Wes,

This is a company that I do a lot of work for.

Can you post this on wallow.us for me and Facebook if you can?   They are going to bring up supplies today and dropping them off at the Blue Ridge High School. I also informd them that St John’s could take some supplies too.  Is this correct?

Thanks,

Mary Maxey-Albrecth

Nutrioso

Click here to view the PDF

Great stuff, please give it a read and make sure to call Tide at the bottom or use their webpage.  Let’s get everyone to call them and see if we can Get “Loads of Hope” to come and help out community!!  They are on Facebook and Twitter, so let’s let them know.

Hi Wes,  Thank you so much for all that you do.  I have an idea that may be helpful.  What if we put together a checklist of things to take to help with cleaning up/recovering their properties after they return from the evacuation?

For instance, my family is starting this list:

Bedding (all bedding in the homes may have smoke damage)

Food that is non-perishable (ice may not be available)

Camping gear

Masks

Cleaning supplies

Bandanas

Gloves

Rubber soled shoes

Old clothes

Newspapers (for cleaning)

I also called Tide (laundry detergent company) to request the “Loads of Hope’ truck be sent out to Springerville/Eager.  They said the more people that call, the more likely they are to respond to the request.  There is also an e-mail option to request assistance.  If they get bombarded with requests then maybe we can get help with soap donations or laundry services (free) for people who need to wash smoke damaged items (bedding, clothing).  You can get the information here:

http://www.tide.com/en-US/loads-of-hope/index.jspx

Also:

Talk to Tide

Hi all –

As of last night’s IR flyover, the Wallow fire has now covered 408,887 acres and is 5% contained.

Per last night’s community meeting at the Blue Ridge HS in Lakeside, Eagar & Springerville residents may be allowed to return to their homes Saturday. Alpine & Nutrioso residents may be allowed back in 4-5 days.

Since all residents who lost homes in Alpine & Nutri have already been notified, and I wasn’t, I think I can assume the Grey House is OK.

But this beast is far from done. The red “footprints” represent active burns, whether the fire itself or controlled back-burns, in the past 0-6 & 6-12 hours. Of particular concern are the W and SE flanks, though Greer on the NE is still not completely out of danger.

Thank you again to all who offered prayers and/or good thoughts. And a HUGE Thank You to the >3000 firefighters who have battled this thing so well for so long.

EDC3

Size: 408,887 acres (based on infrared flight)

Personnel: 2,475

Cost: $13.9 million to date

Containment: 5%

Weather for Today

Winds light, terrain driven

4-8 mph, 10 to 15 mph on ridge tops in afternoon.  Wind is predicted to increase to critical levels Saturday 6/11 and Sunday 6/12.

Fire Behavior

Don’t expect dramatic runs like past few days some group tree torching anticipated.  Spotting should be less than ¼ mile today.

Specific Area Activity

Alpine – Structure protection in good shape

Nutrioso- Lines in good shape, will be doing burn out operation on east side to reinforce line

• Alpine and Nutrioso still without power.

Springerville – west of town along hwy will be doing additional burnout using aerial ignition.

East side – West of Escudilla Mountain on fire perimeter – are extending fire line south parallel to state line.

Burro Mountain – Burnout operation to protect Burro Mountain

Water Canyon – Will be extending burnout areas to improve protection of Eagar and Springerville.

Greer – Continuing with structure protection and extending fire line east and south in preparation of a burnout operation.  Increasing Fire fighting resources.

Greer Structure assessment – 22 homes destroyed, 5 homes damaged, 24 outbuildings             destroyed, 1 truck destroyed. Sheriff’s department is tracking and notifying homeowners.

Air Attack

13 helicopters

Air Tankers available from Winslow and Silver City bases

VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) DC10 available from Phoenix Base

DC10 was used yesterday (6/9) for 3 retardant drops to assist preparation for burnout operations west of Greer.  Was very effective.

Download the m4a Audio File – Recorded from my iPhone | I can re encode if you’d like it in MP3