Fall Fire Risk in the High Desert
Fall in the high desert brings warm afternoons and nights that drop close to freezing. Across Reno, Salt Lake City, the Front Range and Boise, that's when space heaters come out of the closet and fireplaces get their first use of the year.
It's also when home fire risk starts to rise. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States, and space heaters are involved in most home heating fire deaths.
If a fire does happen, our local teams are here to help you recover.
Why High Desert Homes Face Higher Fire Risk in Heating Season
Dry Air Dries Out Everything
Low humidity pulls moisture out of wood framing, furniture, curtains and firewood. Dry materials catch faster and burn hotter.
Big Temperature Swings
When a 70 degree afternoon turns into a 30 degree night, people tend to grab a space heater instead of turning on the furnace. Those heaters often end up too close to beds, couches and blankets.
Wind & Wildfire Country
Embers from a chimney or an outdoor fire pit can travel on dry, gusty days and start a fire outside the home.
Space Heater Safety Tips
Give It Room
Keep at least three feet of clear space around the heater, away from rugs, curtains, bedding and furniture.
Plug It Directly Into the Wall
Never run a space heater through an extension cord or power strip.
Turn It Off When You Leave
Choose a model with automatic shutoff, and switch it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety Tips
Schedule a Chimney Inspection
Creosote builds up inside chimneys every time you burn wood. A yearly cleaning removes it before it can ignite.
Burn Dry, Seasoned Wood
Seasoned hardwood burns cleaner and produces less creosote. Avoid burning trash or wrapping paper.
Store Ashes Safely
Put ashes in a metal container with a lid and keep it outside, away from the house. Ashes can stay hot for days.
Test Your Alarms
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace batteries at the start of heating season.
What to Do After a Home Fire
Get Out & Call 911
Get everyone out and wait for the fire department to clear the home before going back in.
Call Your Insurance Company, Then Call Us
Take photos and avoid cleaning soot or moving damaged items until the damage has been documented. Our team can take it from there.
How We Restore Homes After a Fire
Soot & Smoke Removal
Our fire damage restoration crews handle soot and smoke removal, odor control and contents cleaning.
Learn more →Water Removal
Firefighting leaves standing water behind. Water damage restoration dries the structure before mold can start.
Learn more →Rebuilding
For larger fires, our reconstruction services rebuild damaged rooms so you're working with one team from start to finish.
Learn more →Fire Damage Restoration Across the High Desert
Utah
Our teams in Salt Lake City and Southern Utah respond to fire, smoke and soot damage across the state.
Learn more →Colorado
Our Denver Metro, Greater Denver and Colorado Springs & Fremont County teams provide 24/7 fire damage restoration along the Front Range.
Learn more →Boise, Idaho
Our Boise team serves Treasure Valley homeowners dealing with fire and smoke damage.
Learn more →Why Choose 911 Restoration for Fire Damage
Our IICRC certified technicians respond 24/7 and arrive ready to secure the property and start the cleanup. We work directly with your insurance company and keep you updated through every stage of the restoration.
What You Can Count On
- IICRC certified technicians
- 24/7 emergency response
- Property secured right away
- Direct insurance coordination
- Updates through every stage
Fire Damage Help From 911 Restoration in Reno, Utah, Colorado & Idaho
Most heating fires start with something small, like a heater too close to a blanket or a chimney that needed cleaning. If a fire does happen, fast cleanup limits the damage and gets your family home sooner. Contact 911 Restoration for 24/7 fire damage restoration from your local team.
