Guidance from the CDC:

Continue to check air quality reports.

• Take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke . Smoke can stay in the air for days after a wildfire ends.

Wildfires leave behind a lot of ash that can irritate your eyes, nose, or skin and cause coughing and other health effects.

• Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease need to be especially careful about breathing in dust from ash.
• Protect yourself against ash when you clean up. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes.
• Wash off any ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.
• Children should not do any cleanup work.
• Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator. A respirator is a mask that fits tightly to your face to filter out ash before you can breathe it in.  You must wear a respirator correctly. Respirators are not made to fit children.  If you have heart or lung disease ask your doctor if it is safe for you to wear a respirator.
• Pay attention to any health symptoms if you or your children have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or are pregnant. Get to medical help if you need it.
• After a wildfire, private wells can be contaminated and unsafe to use for drinking water and other purposes. Learn about potential solutions.

Drive safely.

• Be alert for broken traffic lights and missing street signs.
• Watch out for trash and debris on the road.
• Learn more: Motor Vehicle Safety

Be careful around damaged buildings or structures.

• Wait to return to buildings during daylight hours, when it is easier to avoid hazards, especially if the electricity is off and you have no lights.
• Learn more: Worker Safety During Fire Cleanup

Clean up safely.

• Wear proper safety equipment, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and avoid electrical hazards.
• Learn more: Clean Up Safely After a Disaster

Additional Resources:

County Disaster Recovery Resources: https://www.trinitycounty.org/Recovery

FEMA Disaster Recovery Resources: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/

CALFIRE Returning Home After a Fire Brochure