Wildfire Cleanup Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I stay safe when helping with fire cleanup?
A: If you have been hired to clean up a property that has been burned or damaged by fire, your employer is legally required to protect you from danger that may remain after the flames are put out. This includes identifying any dangerous chemicals and toxic ash and providing you with safety gear.
Employers are also required to train you on how to work safely in a fire zone. They need to have an emergency action plan and train you on what is in it. They must also provide drinking water at no cost. Water must be fresh, pure and suitably cool, and must be available at locations as close as possible to the areas where you are working. Employers must provide washing facilities with water and soap for washing and decontamination.
If you are going to be working inside, an expert must first inspect the building to make sure it is stable. Only certified electrical workers can work on or around downed power lines and only after they have been de-energized by the utility company.
Safety gear includes:
- A fire extinguisher nearby
- Respirator: full-face or half-mask air purifying respirator with HEPA (N100, R100, P100) filter, and organic vapor, acid gas, and formaldehyde cartridge
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Hard hat
- Steel-toed shoes
- Coveralls
- Shoe covers
Before leaving the workplace and before breaks, safety gear must be removed, and you must wash your hands, arms and face.
Cal/OSHA protects workers in California from unsafe conditions. You can go to the Cal/OSHA website and find much more information on how to stay safe during a fire cleanup. Learn more at Worker Safety in Wildfire Regions.
Q: I've been hired by a private contractor or property owner. Do California's safety rules still protect me?
A: Yes, Cal/OSHA's rules cover all the workers who clean up after fires. Fire cleanup is not considered domestic work like regular housekeeping. Workers who are legally classified as employees in California are protected even if their employers treat them as independent contractors.
You don't have to stay on a job site if you think it is not safe. Your employer cannot legally retaliate against you for refusing to work in this situation.
Q: How do I file a complaint if I feel I've been required to work in unsafe conditions?
A: Call the Cal/OSHA Enforcement District Office closest to your worksite between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays. Your call will be answered in English. If you need to speak with a representative in Spanish or any other language, you may request an interpreter and hold until the interpreter joins the call. This may take a few minutes, so please stay on the line. When requesting an interpreter, please inform us how to say the name of your language in English.
Click here for a list of Cal/OSHA offices and their phone numbers. The phone number for the Los Angeles enforcement office is (213) 576-7451.
February 2025