08/26/2026
If you’ve been cleared to return home after evacuating due to the Hawk Fire, take precautions before entering your property or beginning cleanup:
💨 Protect yourself from ash: Avoid direct contact with ash, breathing it in, or tracking it offsite. Wear a well-fitting, NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator, gloves, goggles, long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes. Keep children and vulnerable individuals away from ash and avoid stirring it up. Never dry sweep or use a leaf blower.
Learn more about avoiding ash exposure: https://www.epa.gov/wildfires/protect-yourself-ash
💧 Check your private well: Inspect for damage and be aware that wildfire or power outages can contaminate your water. If contamination is suspected, boil water used for drinking or cooking for 3 minutes for disinfection.
🚽 Check your septic system: Make sure drains are properly draining, and no water is observable surfacing. Treat any surfacing water as sewage and contact a licensed professional if you suspect your system is not functioning correctly.
Learn more about caring for private wells and septic systems:https://www.nnph.org/files/ehs/waste-management/Guidance-for-Homeowners-Impacted-Fire.pdf