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Reports all over the nation warn of increasing stories of fire damage in homes across America.

What’s Causing Fire Problems in Homes this Winter?

Reports all over the nation warn of increasing stories of fire damage in homes across America.

Local fire departments responded to 1,338,500 fires in 2020. These fires caused 3,500 civilian deaths, 15,200 civilian injuries, and $21.9 billion in property damage.

Every 23 seconds, a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. A fire occurs in a structure at the rate of one every 64 seconds, and a home fire occurs every 89 seconds.

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It’s important to understand what causes these fires during the winter and ways to prevent these tragedies from happening in your home.

Every 23 seconds

A fire department in the United States responds to a fire

Every 64 seconds

A fire occurs in a structure

Every 89 seconds

A home fire occurs

Causes of Winter Fire Damage

Winter Storms

Most of the U.S. is at risk for winter storms, which can cause dangerous and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Blinding wind-driven snow, extreme cold, icy road conditions, downed trees, and power lines can all wreak havoc on our daily schedules. Home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season, and heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires and one in every five home fire deaths.

Space Heaters

Similar to candles, space heater fires are also common in the winter months. Most are due to clothing, curtains, or other flammable objects placed far too close to the heater. Be sure to keep flammable objects at least three feet away from space heaters.

Damaged Pipelines

Water expands by about 9 percent when it freezes. When water freezes underground, it causes a condition called frost heave, which is an upward swelling of soil. Frost heaves can damage roads, building foundations, railroad tracks, and, yes, gas pipeline systems. Fires and explosions related to petrochemical pipelines have been responsible for significant injury and loss of life [4]. An investigation of nine fire accidents that occurred between 2004 and 2007 reported that pipeline damage was a major cause of explosions and ruptures, resulting in significant burn injuries and over 600 deaths at the disaster sites.

The best response is to detect and report the problem.

Are You Prepared for Wildfire Season?

  • Check all your fire alarms and make sure they are in working order.
  • Make a plan of what to salvage and what to rescue if you should experience a home fire.
  • Talk with your family about an escape plan
  • Remove all flammable vegetation around all structures. Contact your local fire department to find out if there is a minimal amount of clearance required. Trim trees so branches are six feet from the ground and 10 feet from your chimney. Remove branches overhanging your roof.
If you have time…
  • Move patio or deck furniture, cushions, door mats, and potted plants in wooden containers either indoors or as far away from the home, shed, or garage as possible.
  • Close and protect your home’s openings, including attic and basement doors and vents, windows, garage doors, and pet doors, to prevent embers from penetrating your home.
  • Connect garden hoses and fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water. Firefighters have been known to use the hoses to put out fires on rooftops.

Whom to Call for Fire Damage Restoration?

To report a wildfire – CALL 911

For a wildfire in a remote location, contact one of the Interagency Fire Centers:

Northern Utah Interagency Fire Center (NUIFC): (801) 495-7611

Richfield Interagency Fire Center (RIFC): (435) 896-8404

Uintah Basin Interagency Fire Center (UBIFC): (435) 789-7021

Moab Interagency Fire Center (MIFC): (435) 259-1850

Southern Utah’s Color Country Fire Center (CCFC): (435) 865-4611

Need to Evacuate? Places You Can Go

firesafemarin.org/prepare-yourself/evacuation-guide/

Evacuation Centers

Temporary Refuge & Assembly Areas

Shelter in Place (Building or Car)

Fire Restoration in Utah

Contact us! RainFire Restoration has restored dozens of homes across Utah from fire and smoke damage. Our team is experienced and ready to help you recover from any type of fire loss. Call us today at (385) 336-7246 if you have experienced fire damage in your home.

Useful Stats and References

  1. More than 500 homes (speculated) were burnt in wildfires in Colorado. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/31/us/colorado-marshall-fire.html
  2. https://www.self.com/story/house-fire-prevention
  3. In Utah—America’s fastest growing state—two of every five homes (39.4%) face high fire risk. That’s a larger share than any other Western U.S. state analyzed by Redfin. Colorado and Idaho came in second and third place, with 19% and 14.4% of properties at high risk, respectively. Less than 10% of homes in the following states have high risk: Oregon, Nevada, California, Washington, and Arizona.https://www.redfin.com/news/wildfire-real-estate-risk-2021/
  4. The majority of Utah, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, remains in extreme drought as of Thursday, and some portions of the state remain potentially ripe for wind-whipped wildfires.
  5. https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/12/31/22861429/colorado-wildfires-boulder-drought-west-utah-snow-weather-cold-evacuations-forecast-winter-utah
  6. https://www.fractracker.org/2020/02/pipelines-continue-to-catch-fire-and-explode/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7312381/
  8. https://www.energy.gov/ceser/emergency-preparedness/community-guidelines-energy-emergencies/homeowners-respond-natural-gas
  9. https://www.ksl.com/article/25594491/how-to-prepare-for-fire-season

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Why Choose RainFire Restoration?

When it comes to any damage or remediation, you need a team you can trust. At RainFire Restoration, we bring years of experience and a commitment to excellence to every project. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Expert Technicians: Our team is trained in the latest fire damage and smoke odor removal techniques.
  • Comprehensive Services: From cleaning and deodorizing to structural repairs, we handle every aspect of restoration.
  • Advanced Equipment: We use state-of-the-art tools and treatments to ensure your home is safe and odor-free.
  • Customer-Centric Approach: We’re here to support you every step of the way, providing clear communication and compassionate service.

Final Thoughts

A lingering smoke odor is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a warning sign that your home may still harbor harmful particles and hidden damage. At RainFire Restoration, we’re dedicated to helping you eliminate these risks and restore your home to a safe, comfortable environment.

If you’re struggling with smoke odors or fire damage, don’t wait to take action. Call us today at (385) 336-7246. Let my team and I help you breathe easier and reclaim your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the three core categories:

  • Water Damage Restoration – involves removing standing water, drying and dehumidifying the structure, and inspecting for secondary issues like mold growth.

  • Fire Damage Restoration – focuses on repairing structural damage caused by fire, removing smoke residue and odor, and stabilizing the property after a fire event.
  • Mold Damage Restoration – targets mold infestations typically resulting from moisture, eliminating the mold safely, and preventing future regrowth.

These types help the RainFire professionals tailor the restoration process to the specific form of damage that is in front of you.

You should strongly consider professional help when:

  • Damage is extensive or affects structural elements (e.g., walls, floors, roofing).

  • Water damage has soaked into building materials and risks mold growth.

  • Smoke, soot, or odor persists after a fire event.

  • You’re unsure how widespread the damage is.
    Pros bring specialized equipment and training to properly dry, clean, and restore your home — especially critical for mold and fire scenarios.

Immediately after noticing water damage (like flooding, leaks, or an appliance burst), you should:

  1. Stop the source if possible (shut off water).

  2. Remove standing water or begin extraction.

  3. Contact a professional restoration company as soon as possible.
    Rapid action helps prevent structural issues and reduces the risk of mold, which can begin growing in as little as 24–48 hours after moisture exposure.

Mold isn’t always immediately visible, but it can pose health risks (respiratory irritation, allergies) and can continue spreading if not addressed correctly. It often arises from unresolved water issues. Professionals assess the extent, safely remove mold, and treat affected areas to stop future growth.

Coverage varies widely by policy and cause of damage. Generally:

  • Water damage from sudden events (e.g., burst pipe) may be covered.

  • Flooding from external sources often requires separate flood insurance.

  • Fire damage is typically covered under standard homeowners’ policies.

  • Mold coverage depends on whether the policy considers it a direct result of a covered peril.
    Because of this complexity, many restoration companies also assist with insurance claims, documenting damage to help ensure you receive appropriate compensation.

author info:

About the Author: Alan Seegrist

Alan Seegrist is the co-founder of RainFire Restoration and a certified restoration expert with over eight years of hands-on experience in water, fire, mold, and smoke damage recovery. Known for his calm leadership and deep technical knowledge, Alan leads with a commitment to quality, compassion, and helping Utah families rebuild after disaster. His insights reflect real-world experience restoring over 1,000 homes and guiding clients through every step of the recovery process.
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