Post-Wildfire Re-entry & Property Recovery Guide

Wait for official re-entry clearance

Do not return because smoke has cleared or visible flames are gone. Follow the evacuation and re-entry instructions issued for the area, road and property.

Conditions can change after the fire front passes, including damaged trees, utility infrastructure, unstable structures and hidden hot spots.

Treat utilities and structural damage as professional-review items

Do not re-energise damaged electrical systems, reconnect gas, enter visibly unstable structures or improvise repairs to damaged utility equipment. Use the appropriate utility, electrician, gas professional, structural professional or local authority.

If the property has solar, batteries, generators, pumps or other energy systems, include them explicitly in the inspection scope rather than assuming a grid outage made them harmless.

Document before non-essential disturbance

Where it is safe to do so, photograph and record damaged areas, installed systems, serial numbers, affected materials and visible conditions before non-essential cleanup or removal. Keep insurer, contractor and authority records together.

Apollo project records, technical documents and Evidence Passport material can help identify what was installed and what evidence should be re-checked before replacement or re-use.

Smoke, soot and ash can change the cleanup pathway

Smoke and ash can affect surfaces, ventilation systems, soft furnishings and outdoor equipment. Buildings with significant contamination, fire damage or suspected hazardous materials may require specialist assessment and remediation.

Avoid disturbing unknown ash or damaged building materials where contamination is uncertain. Follow local public-health and environmental guidance.

Check water, drainage and outdoor systems before normal use

Private water systems, pumps, tanks, irrigation, drainage and outdoor electrical equipment may have been affected by heat, smoke, ash, power interruption or firefighting activity. Confirm the appropriate inspection and water-quality pathway before returning them to normal service.

Outdoor kitchens, fire features, pergolas, screens and landscape systems should also be checked for heat damage, distortion, damaged wiring and changed clearances.

Rebuild the record as well as the property

Record what was repaired, replaced or removed, the new product evidence, photos of hidden work, maintenance changes and any new wildfire-resilience measures. This turns recovery into a stronger future property record instead of losing the lessons of the event.