As we all struggle with the clean up from the Paradise wildfires and work to putting our homes back together, one of the most important things we have to remember is that the ash leftover from the fires can be extremely dangerous. Though the ash from the fires is relatively nontoxic and similar to the ash you can find in your fireplace, any ash will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals. Fire ash can also be extremely irritating to sensitive skin, noses, and throats.

So I wanted to send a few tips over that may help get your Paradise home back in order, but PLEASE BE CAREFUL. 

Here is a list of recommendations that we should all follow to ensure that the ash is cleaned up and disposed of safely & efficiently:

1) DO NOT use leaf blowers to blow the ash out.

2) DO NOT hose the ash particles into storm or other drains.

3) Lightly mist surfaces (indoor and outdoor) with water before gently sweeping ash.

4) Be sure to only use vacuums with HEPA filters.

5) Never allow your children to play in the ash.

6) Wash ash off all toys and other household items before using.

7) Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and pants to avoid skin contact with the ash.

8) If your skin does come in contact with the ash, wash immediately.

9) Wear fitted dusk masks to protect your face from particles.

10) Place collected ash in trash bags for disposal.

This is just a basic list of recommendations. Please use caution when cleaning and removing the ash from your homes and if it looks like it is beyond a "do-it-yourself job", call a professional!

There is no question, we have been through quite a rough patch here in Paradise.  If you were fortunate enough to stay in your home, it is unlikley that your piece of real estate in Paradise was  left unaffected by the fires. 

Therefore, over the next few weeks, I am going to dedicate my blog to sharing what I believe may be some helpful hints that you can use as idea generators or resources as you attempt to bring a little life back into your property.  I can't offer any quick fixes, but a few decorating tips, gardening tips and home improvement ideas may be just the inspiration we all need!  Lord knows I have my moments where I could use some!

So for my first tip...use some bamboo.  In my opinion bamboo has this wonderful way of making people feel like I they are on vacation, it has a very calming effect.  And the bonus, it is  usually much more sustainable, eco-friendly and affordable than other wood types.  An idea I came across while browsing through some magazines, was to use the bamboo to cover the supporting structure of decks and stairways.  Assuming the fires left your wood/concrete supports still stable, but maybe just slightly stained or discolored.  You can try covering the areas of the stabilizers and of parts of the deck with bamboo.  Give it a fresh look, a calming look and be good to the environment.

Wishing you all the best while getting back to "normal."

HUGE PRICE REDUCTION! It is now being offered at $250,000. Lovely 2 bed and 1.75 baths Ranch with an attached 2 car garage. The yard is gorgeous with a rear deck overlooking the garden and all the landscaping. It has a large natural rock fire place. Also this house has plenty of storage room with a pantry and abundant closets. It has new doors, floors, and molding. It is completely redone and is without a doubt a must see!

Call Lynn Franklin at 530-872-5435 for your personal showing

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$25,000 Price Reduction. A beautiful 2 bed 1.75 baths Ranch on 6112 Ripley Lane. It has a lovely attached 2 car garage and a great location. It has a gorgeous rear deck that looks out over the property and it's meandering stream.  With a lovely interior and a rock fireplace right inside the family room, you'll be sure to want to call this one home. 

Call Lynn Franklin at 530-872-5435 for your personal showing.

It is on almost 1 full acre of land and features a full rear covered deck overlooking the wonderfully quiet nature filled yard.  It is a great house with 1813 square feet of living space, a 2 car attached garage, a newer pellet stove on a beautiful rock hearth and many other custom updates. It also has a newer central heating and A/C unit. There is a whole house fan to help with the heating and cooling costs! It has plenty of storage with walk-in closets, a pantry and a laundry room. It is a must see great home!

Call Lynn Franklin at 530-872-5435 for your personal showing.

UNBELEIVABLE PRICE REDUCTION!!! LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. THIS HOME HAS ALL THREE. IT'S LOCATED IN A WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN ON THE CORNER OF A PRIVATE LANE. THE LOT IS .47 ACRES WITH A MEANDERING STREAM. HUGE MATURE CAMELLIAS SURROUND THE REAR DECK. INSIDE IS A LOVELY ROCK FIREPLACE IN THE LIVING ROOM, TILE COUNTER TOPS IN THE KITCHEN, BERBER CARPET THROUGHOUT. THERE IS AN ATTACHED GARAGE AND PLENTY OF RV PARKING.  SELLER IS IN THE PROCESS OF INSTALLING A NEW ENGINEERED SEPTIC SYSTEM.  CURRENTLY BEING OFFERED FOR ONLY $175,000.  CALL TODAY FOR A SHOWING OR FOR MORE INFORMATION.

6112 RIPLEY LANE, PARADISE

CALL LYNN FRANKLIN, 530-872-5435, lynn@lynnshometeam.com.  

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BUYERS TO GET ACTIVE IN THIS PARADISE REAL ESTATE MARKET.

The Butte County Fire Safe Council has done some mailings with information on how to protect yourself in the event a wildfire passes by your home here in Paradise and Butte County.  In case you haven't received this information, I wanted to pass it along to everyone that may find it helpful here in Paradise.

If you are unable to evacuate when a fire approaches your Paradise home:

• Stay inside your house, away from outside walls and away from the area of fire.
• Keep all doors closed, but leave them unlocked.
• Keep your entire family together and REMAIN CALM.  Remember, if it's hot in the house, it's four to five times hotter and more dangerous outside.  Exit after the wildfire passes.

After the fire passes:

• Check the exterior and roof immediately; extinguish all sparks and embers.
• Check inside the attic for burning embers; extinguish any you find.
• Check your yard for burning woodpiles, trees, fence posts or other materials and extinguish.

For information on fires, evacuations, and returning to your home listen to the

Paradise Town Radio: 1500 AM

Upper Ridge Radio: 1460 AM

Information taken from the Butte County Fire Safe Council.