For homes that made it through
Wildfire smoke and ash cleanup for standing Los Angeles homes
A house that survived a wildfire can still be full of fine ash, smoke odor and residue in the ducts, attic and closets. It needs cleaning before it is comfortable to live in again.
- Answered 24/7
- Interior ash and soot
- Ducts and exterior
Updated September 2026
24/7 emergency line
(323) 709-0141- 1Keep windows shutAnd the HVAC off for now.
- 2We assess room by roomAsh, soot and odor.
- 3Clean top to bottomInside, ducts, then outside.
Quick answer
Wildfire smoke and ash cleanup in Los Angeles is for standing homes that took in ash and smoke: HEPA vacuuming and dry cleaning of every surface, duct and air handler cleaning, odor treatment and an exterior wash. Ash should not be swept or blown, because that puts the finest particles back in the air.
The job
Why a standing home still needs cleaning
Wind carries ash and smoke into homes through vents, gaps around doors and windows, attic vents and the HVAC intake. Fine ash settles on every surface and in fabrics, and smoke residue carries the odor.
It looks like dust, but it is not household dust, and household cleaning methods tend to spread it. Our guide to wildfire ash in a standing home covers the first steps.
Cost factors
What wildfire smoke cleanup costs
2026 guides put soot cleanup at $2.75 to $6.50 per square foot of affected surface, and fire and smoke restoration overall at $4.25 to $6.50 per square foot. Planning ranges only.
Home size
Rooms and surfaces to clean.
Ash depth
Light film or heavy deposits.
HVAC
Air handler and duct cleaning.
Odor level
Deodorizing and sealing.
Contents
Textiles and items cleaned.
Exterior
Wash area and gutters.
Your options
Clean or replace?
Most things clean up; a few rarely do.
| Item | Usually cleaned | Often replaced |
|---|---|---|
| Hard surfaces and walls | Yes | Only if residue stains through |
| Clothing and bedding | Yes, with proper cleaning | If heavily ash-soaked |
| HVAC filter | No | Always replaced |
| Attic insulation | Rarely | If ash-laden or smoky |
| Upholstery | Often | If odor will not clear |
Variations of this job
Interior ash removal
Interior ash removal works from the top of each room down. We HEPA-vacuum ceilings, walls, window sills, blinds and floors first, because wiping or sweeping ash smears it and lifts the finest particles back into the air. Then surfaces get dry chemical sponge cleaning and, where needed, damp wiping with the right cleaner. Closets, cabinets and drawers are opened and cleaned, since ash works its way inside. Soft goods are set aside for textile cleaning, and light fixtures and fans are cleaned in the same pass.
HVAC and duct cleaning
HVAC and duct cleaning is essential after a wildfire, because the system pulls outside air in and spreads whatever it carried through every room. Ash collects in the return, the filter, the blower and the ductwork. We clean the air handler and ducts, replace the filter, and clean registers and grilles before the system runs normally again. Running the air conditioning before this is done can recontaminate rooms that were already cleaned. We also check the attic, where ash often piles on insulation near vents.
Exterior ash washdown
An exterior ash washdown removes ash from stucco, siding, windows, decks, patios and driveways so it does not keep tracking indoors or blowing back through vents. We collect loose ash with HEPA vacuums where practical before washing, and use low pressure so stucco and paint are not damaged. Gutters and roof edges are cleared. Runoff is kept out of storm drains where local rules require it. Screens and window tracks are cleaned so ash does not blow back in, and outdoor furniture and play equipment get a wipe-down before anyone uses them again.
Los Angeles conditions
Living next to the rebuild
The January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed more than 17,000 homes and buildings across Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu, and left many more standing but full of smoke and ash. The first ground-up rebuild in Pacific Palisades only received its certificate of occupancy in November 2025, so surviving homes sit beside active construction sites for years, which is why some owners have us clean twice.
Time
How long the cleanup takes
Most standing homes take a few days to a week, depending on size, ash depth and whether the attic insulation needs replacing.
How the job runs
How a wildfire cleanup runs
WetDry and signed off
- 1
Walk the house
Room by room, inside and out.
- 2
Seal the HVAC
System off until ducts are cleaned.
- 3
HEPA vacuum top down
Ceilings, walls, sills, floors.
- 4
Surface cleaning
Dry sponges, then damp where needed.
- 5
Ducts and air handler
Cleaned, filter replaced.
- 6
Odor treatment
Deodorizing, sealing where needed.
- 7
Exterior washdown
Stucco, decks, gutters and drives.
FAQ
Wildfire smoke questions
Please do not. Sweeping and leaf blowers lift the finest particles into the air. HEPA vacuums are the right tool.
Not until the ducts and air handler are cleaned and the filter is replaced.
It can carry fine particles and residues. Wear an N95 and gloves if you must handle it.
Once residue is cleaned from surfaces, fabrics and ducts, yes.
Smoke damage from a wildfire is often covered. We document each room.
Yes, stucco, decks, windows, gutters and driveways.
Related work
What else the same leak can lead to
Fire Damage Restoration
Kitchen fire
What fire Damage Restoration involvesSmoke and Soot Cleanup
Dry soot
Smoke and Soot CleanupEmergency Board-Up and Tarping
Roof tarping
More on emergency Board-Up and TarpingAppliance Leak Cleanup
Water heater leak
What appliance Leak Cleanup involvesToilet Overflow Cleanup
Clean water overflow
How we handle toilet Overflow CleanupHome standing but full of smoke and ash?
Keep the HVAC off and call. We will clean it room by room.
24/7 emergency line
(323) 709-0141