In the wake of a wildfire that has covered homes with smoke and ash, it’s important to begin clean up as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage or discoloration from soot residue . The IICRC provides the following tips for fire victims facing clean up.

Molds are a category of fungi. They serve as nature’s recycler by helping to break down dead materials. Molds produce tiny spores that float and spread easily through the air, so they are just about everywhere. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions—moisture, nutrients (nearly anything organic), and a suitable place to grow. Of these, moisture in either liquid or vapor form is the key factor—both for growth and for control.

When carpet is cleaned after a flood , many remediators and cleaners apply a biocide as a final cleaning procedure. These usually work very well and post-cleaning airborne spore counts are very low.