On Sunday we drove up to Yarnell to evaluate the fire damage for a client. It just takes your breath away to see how the flames devoured parts of the town, leaving only concrete slabs as a sober reminder of the tragedy of the Yarnell Hill Fire. All of the interior roads into the fire-ravaged neighborhoods are, understandably, open only to residents and adjusters.
Driving through town you could really get a sense of how the communities of Peeples Valley, Congress, Wickenburg, Prescott and all the smaller towns nearby have banded together to offer help and hope to the people of Yarnell. The community center located on Hwy 89 in the center of town had a hand washing station set up (as residents are being instructed to boil water due to possible contamination). There were people congregated near the various churches (as it was Sunday) and spirits were much higher than I would have expected.
One thing that particularly struck me were the number of homes and businesses located within just a few hundred yards of where the fire line ends. These homes, no doubt, sustained significant smoke damage that will need to be addressed.
Smoke damage can be very wide sweeping, and getting rid of it is an extensive process that’s best left to the pros. Of course, hiring a pro costs money, which means getting the right settlement from your insurance claim is vital.
During a major fire event, most people worry about fire damage to their homes – even feeling like they’re “out of the woods” if their home is left standing. Of course, saving their contents is a huge relief, but those who have dealt with smoke damage before know it’s a battle to deal with, as well.
Whether it’s accumulated soot that has damaged an air conditioning unit and worked its way through all the duct work, the discoloration of tile, or smoke odor that has seeped into any porous material, it’s not something the homeowner can remedy on their own. And why should they? Their insurance policy most likely offers coverage for smoke damage.
If you are looking for a way to help the people of Yarnell, their local paper, The Yellow Sheet, has suggestions for ways you can make a difference. Some of the needs are immediate (such as food and clothing, and fire clean up), while other assistance will be needed later on. I think this tragedy has been felt throughout our state and everyone should follow through on helping in any way they can.
