Wildfire inspections can involve total loss, partial burn, smoke and ash intrusion, and access problems when areas are still restricted. Evidence may be ash lines, heat damage, melted materials, and what is left of systems - not a neat flood line.
Insurance first.
File homeowners claims promptly. Keep claim numbers ready.
FEMA is not a dollar-for-dollar rebuild program.
What field work often documents
- Extent of burn to structure and attached components
- Smoke, soot, and ash impact on remaining livable space when relevant
- Destroyed outbuildings, wells, septic, or critical access when tied to the residence
- Whether the home is a total loss vs partial damage
Photo and record tips
- Wide shots of the lot and structure from multiple angles when allowed back in
- Close-ups of heat damage, melted fixtures, and ash deposits
- Any surviving documents: insurance, inventory lists, prior photos of the home
- Do not enter evacuation or hazard zones early - wait for official clearance
Access challenges
Road closures and unsafe sites are common. Follow official re-entry rules. If the home cannot be inspected safely, FEMA may use remote or alternative processes - follow instructions from the official application and helpline.
Field note:
Survivors sometimes have extraordinary stories of sheltering or escaping.
Those stories matter for context, but the inspection still records physical damage.
See The Man Who Survived the Wildfires in a Pond.
Appeals and status
Use DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362. Guide: appeals.