Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in San Bernardino
Fire damage restoration in San Bernardino, CA from our local office: board-up, soot and smoke odor removal, contents pack-out and rebuilding. Open 24/7.
San Bernardino knows fire better than most cities. In November 1980, the Panorama Fire, pushed by Santa Ana gusts near 90 mph, burned roughly 280 homes on the city's north end. Twenty-three years later, the Old Fire swept down the same mountain front, and hundreds of houses were lost in and around Del Rosa.
Most fire damage is smaller than that, though - a pan left on the stove, a clothes dryer, a wiring problem in an older house. Our office is here in San Bernardino, our IICRC-certified restoration techs work to the ANSI/IICRC S700 standard, and we answer (909) 751-2323 at any hour. One team secures the house, cleans the soot, dries out firefighting water and rebuilds.
Serving San Bernardino 24/7
- A real person answers, day or night
- Up-front pricing before any work
- CSLB Lic. #798425
- IICRC-certified restoration crews
What's different about fire & smoke damage restoration in San Bernardino
North-end foothills with a long fire record
Verdemont, Arrowhead Springs and the streets below the mountain front sit where the Panorama and Old fires came down. When Santa Ana winds blow, smoke and embers travel ahead of the flames, so homes that never burn can still end up with ash in the attic, soot on window tracks and a smoky smell in the carpet.
Burn scars and winter debris flows
On Christmas Day 2003, debris flows off the Old Fire burn area tore through Waterman Canyon and Devore, and more than a dozen people died. After any new fire above the city, ash-laden runoff can reach homes at the edge of town. It's contaminated water, and wet debris left in walls can lead to mold.
Older homes with porous finishes
Early-1900s houses near downtown and mid-century ranch homes in Del Rosa and Shandin Hills often have plaster walls, wood floors and original trim. Smoke residue settles into porous surfaces like these, and the cleaning method has to match the material so the soot comes off without ruining the finish.
Water from the fire hose
Firefighting puts a lot of water into a house, and heat can melt or crack supply lines. Wet drywall, insulation and flooring need drying on top of the smoke work. Because we're also plumbers, we can cap or repair damaged lines and start water damage restoration on the same visit.
Signs it's time to call
- Black or gray film on walls, ceilings or the tops of door frames
- A smoke smell that comes back each time the heat or AC kicks on
- Ash on windowsills, in the attic or around ceiling vents after a nearby wildfire
- Yellow or brown staining on the ceiling near the kitchen
- Wet drywall, carpet or insulation left behind by firefighting
How we handle it in San Bernardino
Once the fire department says it's safe to go back in, we secure the property, boarding broken windows and doors and tarping roof openings. Then we identify the soot. Fast, hot fires leave dry, powdery residue; smoldering fires that burn plastics leave a sticky film that smears; kitchen fires can leave a nearly invisible protein residue with a strong smell. Each is cleaned differently, and HVAC ducts get checked because they carry odor to every room.
Belongings worth saving are cleaned on site or packed out, inventoried and stored during repairs. We photograph the damage and can work with your adjuster, though only your insurer decides what's covered. Our reconstruction team handles the rebuild - see our fire and smoke damage service for the full process.
San Bernardino questions, answered
Is your company actually based in San Bernardino?+
Yes. Our only office is in San Bernardino, and we take calls 24/7 at (909) 751-2323. For emergencies, we usually arrive within 1-2 hours, depending on your part of the city and how many calls are ahead of yours.
A fire burned in the mountains above us. Do I need smoke damage cleanup?+
Maybe, even if you never saw flames. Check for ash in the attic, on sills and inside vent covers, and notice whether the smell gets stronger when the HVAC runs. If you find ash, don't use a leaf blower on it - the EPA warns against that. An inspection will show what needs cleaning.
Should I worry about mud after a fire burns above my neighborhood?+
Yes, especially in the first winters after a fire. Follow county alerts, keep drainage paths clear and know where your shutoffs are. If mud gets inside, avoid touching it and call us.
Inland Empire neighbors trust First Call
4.8 from 35 Google reviews
“Jose was very knowledgeable and knew the area very well. Walked through everything with us and gave us suggestions and solutions. Would highly recommend.”
“Great price. Jose and his team did a great job unclogging and clearing my bathroom drain. Prior to him, I had three other plumbers out - First Call got it done.”
“Wonderful job! Jose was great! Prompt and stayed until the job was done!”
“Great price. We have used 3 different plumbing companies in the past that we weren't crazy about, so I decided to try this company - so glad I did. Jose provided fast, professional service.”
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