Wildfire, Initial Recovery of Fire Damaged Collections

By April Hann Lanford

Time is of the essence when fine art, artifact, and furniture collections are exposed to soot and smoke from a fire.  The longer soot rests on the surface, the more difficult it can become to successfully clean.

Be mindful of mold – Even though you are dealing with fire damage, the items were likely exposed to water, whether from water used to put out the fire, or fluctuations in humidity that lead to condensation. If the collection has sat in an uncontrolled environment, there may also be active mold.

Image-Left – Condensation dripped down the face of the glass on this frame, seeping into the mat inside.  The 22k gilded frame was damaged from the moisture as well exposure to soot.  The artwork was able to be successfully treated with minimal intervention and the frame restored. 

Upon arrival, document the space and collection with photos and video –  This will help in a variety of ways, to track items, to identify the scope of damage as well as establish a timeline in the recovery process.

Creating an inventory and identifying priority items for care – Timing is critical during the aftermath.  It is important to focus on the most important items first before proceeding with the rest of the collection.

Always wear gloves when handling items exposed to soot.  The oil on your fingers can cross-link with the soot and further embed the soot into the surface of the piece.

Minimize handling of the items as much as possible.  Soot is acidic and abrasive.  Exposure to heat can also cause further instability to a surface.  The more a piece is handled, the greater the risk of further damage.

Contact a conservator – A conservator can help with the recovery, prioritization, triage, and relocation of the affected items after a fire. The sooner the items can be addressed, the better the results for treatment. The longer soot is on a surface the harder it can be to successfully remove.

Always remember – It is important to never assume that a piece cannot be successfully treated.  Often a piece, even with catastrophic damage, can be successfully treated. You should always check with a conservator for options.  The documentation completed early on in the process is a great way to start the conversation about options and costs for potential treatment. 

There are many variables to consider when safeguarding collections and recovering items after a fire loss. While a lot of collectors do not have access to offsite storage to safely evacuate their items when a wildfire looms, these preventive steps can go a long way.  These days, even a sixty-second video walk-through of a collection can significantly help with recovery efforts in the future.

During the aftermath when local resources for response and recovery are inundated, taking the proactive measures listed above can significantly impact the successful recovery of your collection.

The most important lesson to remember is to never assume that a piece is a loss. The field of conservation offers a combination of traditional techniques and modern technology which can yield a lot of successful options for the treatment of a piece.  The sooner an item can be addressed, the better the results. 

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