When the fire is out, the danger isn’t over. An emergency board up after fire damage is the first step our team takes to protect what’s left. Fire crews leave behind broken windows, missing doors, and roofs cut open for ventilation, which creates a wide open invitation for weather, wildlife, and people who shouldn’t be there. After a fire, our fire and smoke damage restoration team is ready around the clock to help you lock things down.
Why Property Securing After Fire Matters
A fire damaged building is structurally weakened and wide open. Without a proper fire damage board up service in place quickly, three big problems show up fast:
- Weather damage: Rain, snow, and wind soak insulation, drywall, and flooring that didn’t burn.
- Theft and vandalism: Unsecured homes attract opportunists. Tools, copper pipes, electronics, and belongings are at risk.
- Wildlife and pests: Raccoons, squirrels, birds, and rodents move into burned out spaces almost immediately.
According to the Red Cross home fire recovery guide, securing the property is one of the first things homeowners are told to handle once the scene is safe.
Heads up: Most homeowners policies require reasonable steps to prevent further loss. Skipping board up can hurt your claim.
Plywood over a broken window stops weather and looters from making a bad day worse before reconstruction can begin.
What an Emergency Board Up After Fire Actually Involves
This isn’t just nailing plywood over a hole and calling it done. A proper board up handles several jobs at once:
- Site assessment: We walk the property and identify every opening, including windows, doors, holes in walls, and ventilation cuts firefighters made.
- Roof tarping: Roofs are usually the most compromised. Heavy duty tarps cover damaged sections to keep water out.
- Window and door covering: Plywood is cut to size, sealed, and fastened securely to frame openings.
- Structural support: Temporary bracing keeps weakened sections stable until a full restoration plan is ready.
- Documentation: We photograph everything, which helps your adjuster and your claim.
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How Quickly Should Emergency Board Up After Fire Happen?
The honest answer is as fast as humanly possible. Ideally, board up starts the same day the fire is out, often within hours of the fire department clearing the scene.
| Time After Fire | What Should Happen |
|---|---|
| 0 to 6 hours | Fire crews clear the scene; the property is unsafe and exposed |
| 6 to 24 hours | Emergency board up and roof tarping should be in progress |
| 24 to 72 hours | Water removal from firefighting efforts begins |
| 1 to 2 weeks | Soot, smoke, and odor work begins after the structure is stable |
Every hour matters. Wet drywall starts growing mold within 24 to 48 hours, which is why we often pair fire response with water damage cleanup and follow up with mold testing and removal if there’s any sign of moisture intrusion.
The minute the engines pull away is the minute board-up needs to start, and a 24/7 crew can be on site before the embers cool.
Where Board Up Fits in the Fire Restoration Timeline
Board up is step one of a much longer process. A typical fire restoration job flows like this:
- Emergency response and property securing
- Water extraction from firefighting hoses
- Contents pack out and cleaning
- Structural cleaning and odor removal
- Reconstruction and rebuild
Doing step one well makes everything else smoother. A property rained on for two days before tarping costs more time, more money, and more disruption later. The USFA’s after the fire guide from FEMA walks homeowners through what to expect, and securing the property is one of the earliest steps it covers.
Securing the property is step one; cleanup, contents recovery and reconstruction follow in a sequence the insurance carrier will want documented.
We’re Available 24/7 in Bartlesville and Beyond
Fires don’t keep business hours, and neither do we. Whether it’s 2 a.m. on a Tuesday or noon on a Sunday, our team answers the phone and rolls a truck. We’ve been doing this in Bartlesville and across northern Oklahoma since 1981, and we’re IICRC certified in fire, water, and mold work.
If your home or business has just had a fire, don’t wait until morning. The longer the property sits open, the more damage you’ll see when restoration starts. Courtesy Care Restoration has been the trusted name in damage response for northern Oklahoma for over four decades, and we’re glad to help you through this.
Don’t leave your property exposed.
Call us right now, or use the button below. Our team responds 24/7 across Bartlesville and northern Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does emergency board up cost?
Costs depend on property size and number of openings. We provide free estimates and work directly with your insurance company. Board up is usually covered under standard homeowners policies as a mitigation expense.
Will my insurance pay for board up services?
Usually, yes. Board up is considered a duty to mitigate expense, which most policies require homeowners to handle promptly. We document everything and coordinate with your adjuster.
Can I just board up the windows myself?
You can, but it’s usually a bad idea. Damaged structures are unstable, improperly secured boards get torn off by wind, and insurance documentation needs to meet certain standards.
How long does the board up stay in place?
Until full reconstruction begins. That can be days, weeks, or months, depending on the rebuild scope and insurance claim timing.
