Many residents impacted by devastating wildfires feel relieved when these natural disasters are finally contained. However, many do not realize that wildfires have a lasting effect on the safety of your home and the health of your family – even years after they are extinguished.
If you or a loved one were impacted by the wildfires, please contact Avian Law Group today. We can help you pursue compensation for all of your losses following a wildfire – including those that may result from flooding, mudslides, and erosion.
One of the most apparent effects of a wildfire is the immediate impact it has on air quality. Smoke from wildfires may contain particulate matter that can irritate eyes and lungs, causing symptoms such as:
However, if residential areas and towns are caught in the blaze, the dangers of smoke become even greater. Buildings and homes are full of chemicals that can be incredibly dangerous when burned, giving off fumes that may be caustic or even carcinogenic. Some buildings may still use hazardous insulation materials such as asbestos – which, when burned and inhaled, may cause mesothelioma, a rare and severe form of lung cancer.
This air pollution is not confined to the region of the wildfire – it can often travel thousands of miles, impacting air quality in other areas of the world. For example, the massive Camp Fire in Butte County, CA created air pollution that reached New York City on the opposite side of the country.
Although this air pollution may take months to fully dissipate, rainfall and other moisture events can help clear it out. However, rainfall may also lead to other hazardous situations immediately following a wildfire.
Wildfires can significantly increase the risk and severity of flooding and erosion in affected areas. Large-scale wildfires have the ability to dramatically impact the terrain and landscape of a region, altering ground conditions in two key ways:
Flooding after a wildfire may be catastrophic on its own, but wildfires also increase the chances of those floods turning into devastating mudslides and catastrophic debris flow.
When vegetation is burned, the roots that anchor the soil weaken or completely burn away. Without these roots, the soil becomes loose, making it highly likely to be swept up in the event of a heavy flood. This includes:
Burned ash
Dirt
Rocks and boulders
Charred remains of trees and vegetation
This flow can move as fast as 35 mph and is strong enough to sweep up larger debris such as building rubble, automobiles, and even homes. Larger pieces of debris can act as a moving dam, causing the flow to surge unpredictably, with sudden discharges of water and mud followed by lulls in flooding. This behavior can cause severe damage to people, homes, and roads.
For example, heavy rains caused mudslides in areas burned by the Dixie Fire.
Flooding, mudslides, and debris flow have the potential to cause additional damage to your property – sometimes even greater damage than the wildfires themselves. Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover flooding.
However, due to the extenuating circumstances of your situation, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses following flooding. If you or a loved one have been impacted by flooding and mudslides, please contact Avian Law Group today to discuss your options for compensation. We have the experience, skill, and knowledge to recover your losses following a devastating mudslide. Even if your policy does not cover floods, we may be able to advise you on other compensation options, including any third-party claims you may be able to pursue.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We understand the trying times you may be experiencing, and we want to help you as best we can.