Technical Guide for Wildfire Restoration
A new technical guide from the IICRC, says many homes and buildings affected by wildfire smoke can be safely restored through professional cleaning rather than stripped to the studs or demolished.
The guide challenges the assumption that smoke, ash and related combustion byproducts automatically make structures unrestorable, noting that impact often depends on distance from the fire, exposure conditions, building systems and the types of materials affected.
The document outlines a four-step restoration framework that begins with a pre-restoration evaluation, followed when needed by third-party assessment, systematic cleaning and final project completion review. It recommends source-removal cleaning, HEPA vacuuming, HVAC system cleaning, odor management and selective replacement of materials only when warranted.
Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfire Smoke
Building owners and facility managers are being urged to take a proactive approach to protecting indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events, according to new best-practices guidance focused on commercial and public buildings.
The recommendations emphasize that portable air cleaners equipped with HEPA filtration can significantly reduce smoke particles when HVAC systems cannot provide sufficient filtration or accommodate MERV 13 filters.
Facility operators are encouraged to develop comprehensive Smoke-Ready Plans before wildfire season that include HVAC adjustments, portable air cleaner deployment, building envelope improvements, sensor placement, and post-event evaluations. By combining effective filtration, real-time monitoring, and advance planning, the guidance provides a practical roadmap for reducing occupant exposure to wildfire smoke.
Hidden Risks During Wildfire Debris Cleanup
A NIOSH investigation into cleanup operations following California's Carr Fire found that wildfire debris removal workers can face significant occupational health risks, particularly from respirable crystalline silica generated during demolition and debris handling.
The findings carry important implications for the indoor air quality and environmental remediation industries, where wildfire recovery increasingly extends beyond firefighting to include the safe restoration of damaged properties.
NIOSH recommends enhanced worker training, standardized PPE enforcement, medical surveillance for silica exposure, and more effective dust suppression strategies to better protect personnel involved in post-wildfire cleanup.
Guide for Public Health officials
An updated 2026 federal Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials provides state, local, and Tribal health agencies with a comprehensive framework for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from wildfire smoke events.
The guide urges public health officials to build partnerships with air quality agencies, emergency managers, healthcare providers, schools, and community organizations to coordinate messaging and response efforts.
It recommends developing smoke-ready plans, identifying vulnerable populations, expanding public outreach, improving indoor air quality through cleaner air shelters and enhanced filtration, and using air quality monitoring and forecasting tools to guide public health decisions.
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