has there ever been a major fire near your rental property?

[Carol Venolia]

This week, one of the huge fires in California is close to my rental properties, which are a few hours' drive from my home. I was visiting my rentals last week; the sky was ugly with smoke, and everything was blanketed in ash. My tenants have been under mandatory evacuation, but at this point it looks like the houses will be spared--if the wind doesn't shift. 

My landlording guides don't cover this kind of situation! Have you ever dealt with this kind of thing? If so, any pointers about what to do, what to watch for, what might be different in the aftermath? Or what to do if the fire does come closer, even burn my places?

I've been in touch with all tenants via texting, and they're all safe with family nearby. I've asked them to let me know of any major changes, and to let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Is there anything more I can/should do?

Thank you!

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Carol Venolia  our rental properties are the least of our problems .

the lake co fire is devastating, over 700 homes burned to the ground one person died

And folks have lost their pets, horses are running around not knowing where to go and to horse owners this is like losing children.

My brother lives in the affected area he is also a heavy equipment operator on Sat he got called to the butte fire  he has worked virtually non stop on fires this summer. Probably out there trying to save your rental !!

shortly there after the Valley fire ( lake county erupted 2 miles north of his small acreage. His wife had to evac with the cloths on her back and the small animals they had to let there horses run free.. and they have been camping in Kelseyville not know yet if their home is destroyed and where their horses are.. this type of disaster far transcends the worries of absentee landlords and their properties which are probably all insured and if they are not then the landlord is an idiot... plus you have loss of rent in most..

We cannot down play what's happening in N. CA is a mitigated disaster of biblical proportions and we need to show the proper respect to those that live there and have been wiped out.