Disaster Recovery News

This week was National Fire Safety Week in the U.S.

The National Fire Protection Association has posted tips on their website about preventing fires in your home and how to plan for a fire:

Learn facts about fires and how they can start.

• Take a quiz about house fires.
• Watch a video about heating your home.
• Download a Fire Inspection Checklist .

Fires are unpredictable so it is essential that your family is aware of fire prevention methods. If there is a fire, concentrate on getting you and your family out of the building safely. Do not worry about grabbing important papers; there are companies that can help recover documents that have been damaged in a fire.

More on document preservation and restoration.

The Oregon State Capitol was damaged by a 3-alarm fire over the Labor Day weekend damaging several floors in the historic building. The blaze damaged several parts of Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s second floor office including the ceremonial office where governors over the years have signed legislation and held press conferences. The Governor’s reception lobby and the deputy chief of staff’s offices were also damaged. Firefighters were able to put out the blaze but the heat has severely damaged the paint and the carpets are now water-soaked.

“He was surprised by the amount of water damage, both in the ceremonial office and into the main lobby,” said spokeswoman Anna Richter Taylor during an Oregonian interview. “The damage is pretty significant.”

The fire was believed to be caused by construction materials outside on the balcony of the office – the materials were being stored as the exterior of the capital is being renovated.

Clean-up crews have been working over the weekend and over the last few days to soak up the water and remove the debris caused by the fire.

Experienced a home fire? Ask the recovery specialists about restoring your cherished photos and books.

As fires threatened the town of Florence, specifically its Pecan Ranch Subdivision, the State of Texas reached out to the Federal Government for aid in helping fight the flames before fires damaged residential areas. FEMA responded with approval to use federal funds to help pay 75% of the governments firefighting costs as part of an approved grant for controlling designated fires. The fire covers approximately 1,500 acres.

“Fires like this show how critical it is for firefighters to receive the support they need to protect the public,” said FEMA regional administrator William Peterson in its press release.

Read more on preventing fire damage to your home and belongings.

Big Sur’s Sheriff’s Office has order the evaucation of over 800 residents as the flames of a wildfire continue to burn through the coastal range. The fire jumped fire lines this week and now sits at only 5% contained. The evacuation order covers a 16 mile stretch along Highway 1. The blaze has already damaged 16 homes and roughly 90 miles of forest.

This disasterous fire damage comes at the height of the area’s tourist season. Its hotels, restaurants and shops are feeling the final strain of the fires already.

FEMA is asking for the cooperation of all residents in the area stating that if they evacuate as requested, there won’t be a heightened chance of any loss of life. Families should work toward preparing their home for a potential fire and leave the area immediately. The Red Cross and several other organizations are pulling together to help local residents.

Below is a brief Associated Press video of the current Fire Situation in Big Sur.

Lighting has caused several hundred wildfires in California this week. These fires are burning up and down California and are all at various stages of containment. Many of these fires are threatening rural homes scattered throughout Big Sur and Butte County.

Fires in the Los Padres National Forest have already consumed 16 homes and is now moving toward Big Sur where 500 homes may incur fire damage. Meanwhile, firefighters have evacuated homes in Monterey County.

In Butte County, 27 lighting-caused fires are threatening 1,000 homes. This just after a blaze last month damaged 74 homes in the same area.

Fires are also sneaking up on homes in the Shasta-Trinity Forest and in Mendocino County.

This is the first of what is sure to be many instances of homes threatened by fire and smoke damage over the summer months. Learn more about fire damage and how you can salvage your belongings at Rapid Refile.