Some aspects of life in Southern California are unavoidable.
Taxes on just about everything you can imagine, rush hour never really ending, and worst of all, the unpredictable fluctuation of the cost of living. With Los Angeles county alone being home to one-tenth of the country’s population (35,000,000 compared to 350,000,000), these annoyances don’t seem to annoy people enough to leave, and why would they? Between the sprawling beaches and the gorgeous mountain views, there is a lot to be desired.
Unfortunately, with all the mountains and wild growth, California is also predisposed to wildfires. A sobering fact of life for residents up and down the Golden Coast, wildfires are one of the most dangerous and damaging aspects of life for Californians. In 2018 alone, California experienced one of the deadliest and most destructive fire seasons on record. The resulting damage was more than $3,500,000,000 ($3.5 B), 1,893,913 acres burned, and 103 fatalities. Some of the more well-known and notable fires include:
- The Camp Fire, which was the most destructive wildfire in California history and destroyed over 18,800 structures.
- The Woolsey Fire, which burned 96,949 acres of land and resulted in 40 deaths.
- The Holy Fire, which affected both Orange and Riverside counties, respectively, and burned for over a month straight.
Some of these fires were caused by arson; others were ignited by natural causes such as lightning. All of them were incredibly destructive and for many homeowners, resulted in a total loss of property and possessions. Thousands more structures were affected and while they were not completely demolished, they were left with serious external and structural issues. Smoke damage in a home is not confined to only discoloration and a lasting odor; it can make you physically ill. Everything from runny noses and watery eyes to upper respiratory issues and compromised immune systems have resulted from soot and smoke particulates.
Water damage is another unavoidable aspect of a structure fire. After the flames have been extinguished, much of a home or business may be left with severe water damage or flooding. This may affect everything from carpeting to ceilings, and much of the time, walls and the internal components such as studs and insulation.
While wildfires are a major contributing factor to burn damage in California, many fires also begin within the home. Burning candles left unattended, faulty wiring, and cooking equipment are all common culprits of house fires. While smaller in scale, these fires can still have disastrous effects. Much of the time, homeowners may be at work or asleep when the fire starts, allowing it to grow in size and intensity very quickly.
Fires are an unavoidable fact of life in Southern California. While we hope you never have to experience one firsthand, SERVPRO of Chino / Chino Hills is ready to help if you do. Our team of trained technicians is on standby 24/7, 365, and we are here to help get things back to normal.