Return to your property only once your local authorities have said it's safe to do so. You may not have water, natural gas, or electricity services when you return. Return to your property only during daylight hours, if possible.

Entering your yard

As you enter your front or back yard:

• Look to see how stable the trees around your property are. Check for damage on tree trunks or burned tree roots. Any trees damaged by fire can fall and injure you. They will need to be cut down and removed.
• Don't touch damaged or fallen power lines and power poles. There may be electrical dangers you can't see.
• There may be soot, ash, and other fire debris all around your home and yard. Wet any fire debris you see. This can lower the risk of breathing in soot and ash particles. Do not wash the fire debris into the street because it can damage the storm sewer system.

Entering your home

If you see or feel any source of heat or smoke, do not enter your home—call 911.

Check for any structural damage to your home that was caused by the fire. Do not enter your home if any parts look unstable. You may notice:

• Roofs and floors may be damaged and may be ready to collapse.
• The brick or cement in your home's foundation or the fireplace chimney can be badly damaged by wildfire heat.
• Your home's concrete foundation may be cracked and leaning or looking like it could collapse. If you notice this, don't try to check the damage. Leave your home right away.​

If there's no sign of heat or smoke and no danger of collapse, be extremely careful when you first enter your home. Take the right precautions to protect yourself and your family:

• Wear the right personal protective equipment, including masks, gloves, and boots.
• Don't try to use any light switches in the home. It could make sparks that could cause a fire or explosion if there's a gas leak nearby. Use flashlights.
• Before turning on any electricity, gas, or water, wait until your utility company has checked and says it's safe. They may have turned off all utilities for your area. You may be able to get more information about utilities from your municipality (town, city, or district).
• Check all electrical appliances and power sources in your home or garage to see if they've been in contact with fire, water, or fire retardant (materials used to slow or stop the spread of fire). If they have, don't use them until a qualified electrician says it's safe.
• Turn off all the valves on your propane tank systems and leave valves closed until the supplier inspects your system.

Protecting your pets

When you return home after a wildfire, remember to take these steps for the health and safety of your pets:

• Watch your pets closely and always keep them with you when outside—on leash or in a kennel or cage. This will prevent them from getting injured by hazards on your property. It will also keep them away from fire retardants or fire debris that can make them sick.
• Shampoo your pets very well if they've had contact with smoke, soot, ash, or fire retardants.
• Make sure your pets don't drink water from puddles that have fire retardants, soot, ash, or other fire debris.
• If your pet looks sick from eating or drinking fire retardants or other products left over from the fire, take them to a veterinarian.