Alberta Wildfire Displaces 10,000 Residents and Smoke Damage to Properties Not Touched by Flames Expected to be Widespread

Several massive wildfires raging across the northern part of Alberta have torched over 230,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of over 10,000 area residents as of May 31, 2019. Some homes have already been destroyed by the wildfires and many others are at risk as firefighters battle to contain the fires.

While some homes and buildings have tragically been lost, many more have been impacted by the tremendous amount of smoke the fires have generated that has drifted vast distances. In fact, an air quality alert has been issued for Calgary and the surrounding areas and conditions are expected to be challenging for the next few weeks.

This wildfire smoke is filled with combustion by-products that include soot, ash and char that can travel long distances and cause damaging effects to the properties they impact.  Odors, discoloration and “ghosting” effects result when these combustion byproducts make their way into homes and buildings and onto surfaces. Their presence can also cause etching and corrosion over time.

“The damage caused by smoke residues can impact properties and create health concerns for building occupants, especially those with respiratory issues, even great distances away from the flames,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Fortunately, smoke damage is covered by many property insurance policies, but it often requires proof of damages to settle insurance claims and this is all too often left to the property owner to prove. The scientists at EMSL, with a facility in Calgary and others across Canada and the United States, are experts at smoke damage and soot testing. These services are available to assist property owners, tenants, environmental experts, and insurance companies and adjusters following a wildfire. EMSL even carries an easy-to-use Fire and Smoke Damage Test Kit.”

EMSL has also sponsored an educational video about wildfire smoke damage to homes and buildings that can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/c0ksscTorHI.

To learn more about soot and smoke damage testing services, please visit www.SootTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For more information or access to the Fire and Smoke Damage Test Kit, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Canada, Inc.
EMSL Canada is an internationally recognized provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail