After a Wildfire
Documenting wildfire damage and keeping records
Good records are one of the most helpful things you can build during recovery, and you do not need special tools to do it. A phone, a notebook, and a little patience are enough. This page covers simple ways to document damage and keep what you gather organized for whatever comes next.
Take photos and video early
When it is safe, capture the condition of your property before you move, clean, or discard anything. Wide shots show the overall scene; close-ups show detail. Walk each room and the exterior slowly and steadily. Short videos with a calm spoken description can be even more useful than photos alone, because you can narrate what you are seeing as you go.
- Photograph every room, including ceilings, floors, and closets
- Capture the outside of the home, outbuildings, and landscaping
- Get close-ups of serial numbers, labels, and brand marks where they survive
- Back up images to the cloud or a second device when you can
Build a contents inventory
A contents inventory is a list of belongings that were damaged or destroyed. It is normal not to remember everything, so start with what you can and add to it over time. Going room by room helps memory and keeps the task from feeling huge.
What to record
- Item name and a short description
- Approximate age or purchase date
- Brand or model if you recall it
- Any photos or receipts you still have
Memory helpers
- Old photos and videos that show rooms before the fire
- Email order confirmations and bank or card statements
- Warranty cards and manuals saved in email
- A walk-through in your memory, room by room
This inventory supports your insurance claim, so keeping it tidy pays off.
Keep your receipts
Save receipts for anything you spend because of the fire: lodging, meals while displaced, replacement clothing, cleaning supplies, and travel. These can matter for loss-of-use coverage and certain assistance programs. A simple envelope or a photo of each receipt saved to one folder works well. Note what each expense was for if it is not obvious.
Preserve what you can, carefully
Before you clear debris, check whether your insurer or any program asks you to hold onto damaged items or wait for an inspection. When in doubt, photograph an item thoroughly before removing or discarding it. If you set damaged belongings aside, keeping them dry and labeled can help. Always follow official guidance about ash and debris handling, since wildfire residue can contain harmful materials.
Why dated records help later
Records that are dated and kept in order tell a clear story over time. Photos with timestamps, a log of phone calls with dates and names, and receipts in chronological order make every later conversation easier, whether with an insurer, an assistance program, or, if it ever comes to it, a licensed attorney. You are not preparing for any particular outcome by keeping good records: you are simply giving your future self an easier path.
Stay organized
Keep everything together: photos, videos, your inventory, receipts, claim numbers, and call logs. A single labeled folder, digital or physical, is enough. Back it up so a lost phone never means lost records. Our first 30 days guide includes more on organizing your recovery paperwork.