Burn Season Is Upon Us In Horry & Georgetown Counties

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can spark seemingly from nowhere!

As we approach spring, wildfire risk will increase. Stay alert and make a plan.

What is a wildfire?

A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie.

What do you do after the fire is over? Here are some important instructions straight from the Ready.gov website.

If you have survived the wildfire then please follow these directions:

• Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return, and whether water is safe to drink.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock.
• Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.

• Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator dust mask and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.

• Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.

• Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mud-flows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire. Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect the life you've built and to assure financial protection from future flooding.

If you need your property restored due to fire damage here on the Grand Strand give SERVPRO a call today!