Room gutted to the framing with drying equipment and debris on the floor. Shown to illustrate the work described; not a job for this site or at any address named here.
Why burned slopes flood
A hot wildfire burns away the plants, roots and forest litter that normally slow rain down and soak it up. It can also leave a water-repellent layer in the soil. On steep terrain, a summer thunderstorm that would once have been absorbed runs straight off the slope, picking up ash, soil, rocks and burned wood along the way.
The Pikes Peak region has seen this pattern. In the years after the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire, flash floods off the burn area affected Manitou Springs and communities along the Ute Pass corridor. Risk generally drops as vegetation returns, which can take several years, so a burn scar remains a concern long after the smoke clears.
For a homeowner, this flood water is different from a burst pipe. It carries fine ash that is alkaline and gritty, soil, organic debris and whatever the fire left behind upstream. That changes what can be saved and how cleanup has to be done.
Cleanup after an ash-laden flood
- Immediately
- Stay out until water stops rising. Have the electric and gas utility shut off service if water reached outlets, panels or appliances.
- First day
- Photograph water lines on walls and contents. Call your flood insurer, if you have flood coverage, and your homeowners insurer.
- Days one to three
- Remove mud and standing water, then pull out wet carpet, pad and porous items. Mud dries hard and is far easier to shovel while damp.
- Days two to five
- Cut out wet drywall and insulation above the water line, clean framing, and begin drying with fans and dehumidifiers.
- After drying
- Confirm moisture readings are normal before closing walls. Check for lingering odor from ash trapped in wall cavities.
What usually can't be saved after contaminated flooding
- Carpet and pad that sat in the water
- Upholstered furniture and mattresses that were soaked
- Drywall and insulation below and just above the water line
- Food, medicine and cosmetics that the water touched
- Particleboard furniture and cabinets that swelled
Insurance questions specific to burn scar floods
Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood. Ask before you need it.
- Do I have flood coverage, and does it include mudflow?
- Is there a waiting period on a new flood policy, and does it apply to me now?
- Does my homeowners policy treat debris flow differently from flood?
- Are basement contents covered under my flood policy, or only certain items?
General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.