Returning home after wildfire evacuation

After a wildfire in your area, your home and property may be affected by smoke, soot, and ash.  Follow updates from emergency services and public health agencies and do not return until local authorities confirm it is safe to re-enter your home. When you return, take precautions to protect your health and safety.

Air quality may still be poor. Limit time outdoors and protect yourself if you need to be in smoky or dusty areas, especially if you have underlying medical conditions such as asthma or lung disease.

Once authorities have deemed it safe to return home, follow the instructions provided to you related to re-entry and cleaning.

Food safety

Food in the home as well as gardens, crops, and harvested foods (e.g., berries and fish) may be spoiled or contaminated from heat, smoke, soot or from firefighting spray/runoff or other contaminants.

• Throw out non-perishable food that has been exposed to heat and smoke, including food stored in cardboard boxes, plastic containers, cling wrap, and glass bottles and jars with screw top lids.
• Throw out food in fridges and freezers that has been exposed to heat and smoke.
• Throw out food in fridges and freezers that has been without power and where the temperature has been above 4°C for longer than four hours.
      -    An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for approximately four to six hours.
      -    An unopened full freezer will keep food frozen for up to 48 hours, while a half full freezer will keep food frozen for about 24 hours.
      -    Remember that contaminated food may not look or smell bad. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Throw out any food that may have been in contact with firefighting spray or other contaminants.
• Visually inspect crops and garden produce and discard any that have gone bad or smell of smoke or have come in contact with firefighting spray/runoff or other contaminants.
• Canned foods should be safe, unless the packaging is crushed, dented, rusted, punctured or swollen.
• Undamaged canned goods should be washed and sanitized. Homeowners may sanitize cans by using a mixture of one teaspoon of regular unscented household bleach and one litre of water.

Wildfires can impact drinking water quality, even if your water looks, smells, and tastes normal.  Heat, smoke, ash and damaged infrastructure can introduce contaminants such as bacteria, nutrients, metals, fuels and other substances into groundwater.

Once authorities have deemed it safe to return home, inspect your property for visible and hidden damage that may indicate water quality issues. It is important to be aware of the hazards that may still remain even after the flames have passed.

Homeowners on private wells

Well water may become contaminated after a wildfire.  Contamination can come from the fire itself, products used to fight the fire and from chemicals that seep into the ground, such as from damaged oil tanks.  Possible signs your water supply may have been impacted:

• burn damage at or near your well and/or piping (such as well or water pipes that are burned or were exposed to heat)
• fire at, or upstream, of your water intake (if using surface water)
• changes in your water’s appearance,  colour, smell and/or taste.
• fire damage to structures (e.g. building, water intake valve, well head, treatment systems, piping, septic systems, fuel storage tanks, etc.).
• power outages, which can result in loss of water pressure.

If a wildfire has or may have impacted your well:

• do not use tap water until testing confirms it is safe
• contact a licensed well driller to inspect your well and make necessary repairs
• use an alternate source of drinking water such as bottled water for drinking, making ice cubes, preparing baby formula, preparing foods and drinks, brushing teeth and giving water to pets

Once the well is in good condition and safe to operate:

• prime the well pump (if applicable)
• flush the system thoroughly until water runs clear
• disinfect the well and plumbing system using an approved chlorination method. See chlorination method (publication) for step-by-step instructions.
• replace or clean filters, cartridges or other treatment media as needed
• test your water at an accredited lab. Water sampling kits may be picked up at designated Service New Brunswick locations. Contact your local Health Protection Branch office for advice on water quality and testing, and additional measures.

Homeowners on communal/municipal water supplies

If you receive your water from a communal water system (like a municipality), your water operator is in charge of monitoring the drinking water supply and issuing guidance or public notices based on water quality test results.

If the water system has been impacted by a wildfire, it is extremely important not to use tap water until you have been advised that it is safe. A safe, alternate source of drinking water such as bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice cubes, preparing baby formula, preparing foods and drinks, brushing teeth and giving water to pets.

Homeowner actions:

• follow all advisories issued by the supplier (i.e. Boil Water Advisory, Do Not Consume Advisory, or Do Not Use Advisory)
• use bottled water or alternative safe water until advised otherwise
• report any water changes such as colour, odour, taste
• flush household plumbing only when advised by the supplier and follow any additional flushing directions provided

Contact your water supplier directly for specific questions or concerns.

Check for signs of damage where the onsite sewage disposal system is located such as:

• damaged or melting components (piping, vent pipes, septic field inspection ports)
• damage to the ground where the septic field is located
• damage to where the system pipe enters the home.

If the on-site sewage disposal system is damaged, discontinue use, keep people and pets away, and have the system inspected and repaired by a licensed on-site sewage disposal system installer.

Check for spills and leaks of home heating fuels and other chemicals (i.e. pesticides, lawn fertilizers or paint), above and below ground storage tanks, and industrial chemicals or fuels.

Report suspected spills or leaks to the nearest Department of Environment and Local Government Office at 506-453-2690.

• Keep pets under control. Fire debris can be harmful.
• Bathe pets thoroughly with clean water if they have been exposed to ash or chemicals.
• Prevent animals from drinking contaminated water.

Wildfires can cause significant stress and disruption even after the immediate danger has passed.

Support is available through the New Brunswick Addiction and Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-355-5550, or call / text 211 or visit nb.211.ca