Smoke and ash from a nearby fire in Southwest Pensacola in Destin

Smoke from a fire outside your property can leave odor, visible residue or both. Follow local safety instructions and ask qualified professionals about entry or cleanup if conditions are unsafe. Record when you noticed the issue, where the odor or residue was strongest and whether the building was open or the air system was running. Photograph visible conditions safely before they are disturbed.

Give inspectors a map of the affected areas

Mark windows, doors, vents and rooms with unusual residue. Ask a restoration professional to explain what they observed, which areas were examined and how they propose to clean or evaluate each surface. A dark deposit on a windowsill and an odor in a closed closet may require different investigation. Ask what evidence supports a recommendation for cleaning, testing or replacement.

Keep the claim description precise

Preserve official incident information if available, inspection findings and invoices. Note any prior conditions and avoid guessing the source of residue from appearance alone. Ask the insurer how the policy treats the loss and what evidence it wants for building and contents items. Keep any air quality or remediation reports separate from the estimate so each document can be reviewed for its intended purpose.

Official resource

U.S. EPA wildfire smoke and indoor air quality: https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-iaq

Ask PAJOE about your claim

For a free initial claim review, call PAJOE Public Adjusters at (850) 842-6424.

Florida Public Adjusting Firm License # W894577
Joseph Whitefall | Florida Public Adjuster
Individual License # E166230

Our public adjusting fee is contingent on a recovery. Before you retain PAJOE, we explain the agreed percentage and the payments to which it applies. Fee terms are set out in our signed agreement. Any outside expenses require separate written authorization consistent with applicable Florida law.

PAJOE provides public adjusting services and does not provide legal advice. Coverage and recovery depend on the policy, the facts of the loss, and supporting evidence. No particular decision, payment, additional recovery, or resolution timeframe is guaranteed.