What comes first?
Everyone's safety and health come first. Call 911 for injuries, and seek medical care for smoke inhalation. Do not go back into a burned building until the fire department says it is safe, since structures can collapse and hot spots can reignite.
Account for every person and animal. If you must leave your home, tell the fire department and your family where you are going.
Even after the flames are out, the building may be unstable, and the air can hold harmful particles. Do not rely on how a structure looks from outside.
- Get medical care for anyone hurt
- Stay out until officials clear the site
- Account for people and animals
- Tell family where you are staying
Who do you contact right away?
Call your insurance company to start a claim, and ask what the process requires. Call your lender if you have a mortgage. The American Red Cross and local community groups may help with emergency shelter, and your county emergency management office can point you to resources.
Get a copy of the fire department's report, since you will need it for your claim. Keep a notebook of everyone you speak with, with dates.
- Keep a notebook beside you for every call
- Ask each office for a reference number
What about the health risks from smoke and ash?
Burned buildings can leave soot, ash, broken glass and dangerous materials. Wear protective gear if you are allowed to enter, and avoid breathing dust. Ask your county health department and the CDC about cleanup and about contaminated water and soil.
Do not eat food that was exposed to heat, smoke or fire fighting chemicals. Ask your doctor about any breathing problems.
Keep children and pets away from ash and debris, and wash hands often. Ask the health office before returning to eat or sleep in the house.
How do you document and replace lost papers?
Make a list of what was lost, with photos if you have them, and keep receipts for emergency costs. Replacing documents such as IDs, titles, deeds, insurance policies and tax records takes time. Ask the issuing agencies how to replace each one, and ask an attorney or a licensed professional about legal or tax questions.
Keep copies of important documents in a safe place away from home, or in secure cloud storage, once you recover.
If you lose medication, call your pharmacy and doctor as soon as possible. They can help you replace prescriptions.
- Inventory of losses with photos
- Receipts for temporary housing and supplies
- List of documents to replace
- Notes on every call
What if animals, barns or land were affected?
Check on livestock with your veterinarian. Smoke, burns and stress can cause problems that appear later. Provide clean water and feed, and keep animals away from hot spots and debris.
Land burned by wildfire may erode or flood more easily. Ask the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency, your extension office and your state forestry agency about recovery options and assistance programs.
- Keep animals away from ash and debris
- Ask your vet about smoke effects that appear later
Where can you find help?
Disaster assistance may come from insurance, local charities, state agencies and federal programs. Rules, funding and deadlines vary, so ask directly. Start with your county emergency management office, the Farm Service Agency, USDA Rural Development and Ready.gov for information.
Be wary of anyone who demands money to help you file claims or who pressures you to sign contracts. Check licenses and references.
Local neighbors often step up with food, clothing and temporary shelter. Accepting help is not a weakness, and it keeps you going.
- County emergency management
- Farm Service Agency
- Local faith and community groups
How do you take care of yourself?
Fire loss is a deep shock. Grief, anger, exhaustion and trouble sleeping are common. Take things one day at a time, accept help from friends and neighbors, and let children share their feelings.
If you or someone you know feels hopeless or thinks of self-harm, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the US, or call 911 in an emergency.
- Take one task at a time
- Accept practical help
- Talk with someone you trust
- Call or text 988 if you feel overwhelmed
Key takeaways
- Safety and medical care come before everything else, and stay out until cleared.
- Call your insurer, lender and county emergency office early.
- Keep records, and ask each agency how to replace documents.
- Ask FSA, NRCS and your extension office about help for land and animals.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.