Response/Recovery

In the aftermath of a wildfire, workers may be involved in a variety of response and recovery operations. Some operations, such as utility restoration, cleaning up spills of hazardous materials, and search and rescue, should only be conducted by workers who have the proper training, equipment and experience.

What to do during a Wildfire

In the event that there is not enough time to evacuate or if workers are caught in circumstances where they cannot follow the evacuation plan, the Ready.gov - Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) website offers guidance on what to do during a wildfire if in a vehicle, in a residence, or out in the open.

Hazards

Wildfires may create a variety of hazards for workers involved in cleanup operations as well as for workers in affected communities. The following resources address common hazards associated with wildfires and highlight useful precautions for workers:

• electrical hazards - QuickCard™ | Spanish, Fact Sheet
• carbon monoxide poisoning - QuickCard™ | Spanish
• lifting injuries - QuickCard™
• heavy equipment - Activity Sheet
• extreme heat - QuickCard™ | [More...], Fact Sheet | Spanish
• unstable structures - Structural Collapse Alert (NIOSH)
• hazardous materials response - Fact Sheet
• fire - Fact Sheet
• confined spaces - QuickCard™ | Spanish
• worker fatigue - Extended/Unusual Work Shifts Safety and Health Guide
• respiratory protection - QuickCard™ | Spanish
• rodents, snakes and insects - QuickCard™ | Spanish
• downed electrical wires - Fact Sheet
• working outdoors - Fact Sheet
• slips, trips, and falls - QuickCard™

Responders

Firefighters and other responders may face particularly challenging situations and hazards as they perform their activities. The following resources provide guidance on how responders can protect themselves during response operations:

• Wildfire Worker Training Resources. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
• Wildfire Resources. The National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine.
• Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions. Cal/OSHA.

Additional Information

• Worker Safety During Fire Cleanup. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• After the Fire: Your Emotional and Physical Well-Being. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials. California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resources Board.
• Technical Data Bulletin: PPE and Residential Wildland Fire Cleanup. 3M, Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division.
• Wildfire Incident Annex. Arizona Department of Health Services.
• Fire Safety Fact Sheet - Wildfires. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).