Devastating wildfires have been tearing through California since Jan. 7. They have burned an area almost the size of Washington, D.C., killed 28 people, and damaged or leveled almost 16,000 buildings, including over 10,000 homes. Residents who have lost their homes, neighborhoods, and schools are only beginning to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, both the physical and emotional trauma sustained during such a tragedy could last much longer than the fires themselves.

As Louisiana residents, we here at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain are all too familiar with the crippling effects of natural disasters that come our way every hurricane season. We all send our most heartfelt thoughts and well wishes to those affected by the California wildfires. We understand the toll that burn injuries and other lasting fire damage can take. Whether you’re in California, Louisiana, or somewhere else, you are not alone. There are plenty of resources standing by to help.

Tend to Your Physical Health First

After any natural disaster that leads to injury, your first priority should be your bodily health. You may feel fine in the initial aftermath of a fire, but smoke inhalation, exposure to potentially toxic chemicals, burns, and even stress can severely impact your health in the long term. Besides consulting with your healthcare provider, here are a few tips for managing your physical well-being:

  • Treat minor burns as soon as possible with cool running tap water for 10-20 minutes. Never apply ice directly to the burn; instead, use a cold compress or wrap a cloth around the ice. 
  • Use gentle, moisturizing lotion on skin irritated by soot or other chemicals.
  • Get plenty of water and rest, as the extreme heat of wildfires can rapidly dehydrate and exhaust you.
  • Monitor your breathing, as inhaling smoke can increase the risk of respiratory issues like asthma. Smoke plumes from fires in 2020 covered every county in California for at least 46 days.
  • Get to a doctor right away for severe burns, coughing, trouble breathing, or persistent headaches.

The American Burn Association, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, and the Children’s Burn Foundation are all excellent resources for burn prevention, wildfire safety, and burn injury treatment.

Understanding Post-Disaster Trauma

The emotional and psychological damage of living through a wildfire is harder to recognize than physical pain, and treatment isn’t nearly as straightforward. Approximately 60 percent of wildfire survivors experience anxiety and stress that lead to PTSD.

Examples of potential trauma include:

  • Survivor’s guilt – feeling guilty for making it out alive when others did not
  • Feeling hopeless about the future or recovering the life you once had
  • Anxiety that another fire will happen soon
  • Loss and grief from losing your home, irreplaceable items, or even people you love
  • Flashbacks – PTSD can trigger terrifying flashbacks of the fire and chronic nightmares

You can manage your trauma with coping strategies like breathing exercises, meditation, and limiting your exposure to news about the fires. Lean on your loved ones for support; isolating yourself can be very harmful. If you notice that your mental health is not starting to return to the way it was before the fire, it may be time to seek professional help. Consider joining a support group or reaching out to a therapist. 

The California Dept. of Public Health offers an excellent list of mental health resources, including crisis hotlines and emotional support services for individuals and families.

Helping Children Cope with Trauma

Children handle trauma very differently than adults; they experience many of the same emotions but may not fully understand why or how to manage them. Don’t let the tasks involved with post-fire recovery distract you from monitoring your child’s well-being. Ways to help them cope include:

  • Validate their feelings and offer them as much reassurance as they need that they are safe
  • Keep to their normal routines as much as possible
  • Make time for play, arts and crafts, and other healthy outlets
  • Limit their TV and social media time 
  • Answer their questions honestly, but don’t go overboard with information
  • Don’t make unrealistic promises such as “This will never happen again”

Sometimes children regress to things like bed-wetting and insisting on sleeping with you. Be very patient with them if these things happen, but don’t let it become the norm; seek professional help if they continue for too long. 

The Road to Burn Injury Recovery

The best thing you can do for yourself is give yourself grace and time. There’s no timeline for healing after a tragedy; the steps aren’t always linear, and you may make progress one day only to fall back into depression or despair the next. Taking small steps every day toward rebuilding your life can bring you a sense of control and accomplishment when it seems like everything is falling apart around you. 

At HKGC, we understand the profound impact that natural disasters like wildfires can have on your life. If you or a loved one have been affected by burn injuries or emotional trauma from a wildfire, or other burn injury accident due to negligence, contact us at 844-943-7626 or visit us online for support and information regarding possible legal options.

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