Wildfires and Smoke Damage: An Emerging Risk for Georgia’s Heritage Sector
- georgiaheritageres
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hurricanes and tornadoes dominate disaster planning in Georgia. But in recent years, wildfires and regional smoke events have become a growing risk.
Heritage institutions do not need to be in the burn zone to be affected. Smoke can travel miles, infiltrating buildings through ventilation systems, aging windows, and structural gaps. For museums, archives, and historic homes, that infiltration can threaten collections quickly and quietly.
Why Smoke Matters
Smoke is more than an air quality issue. Fine particulates settle on surfaces and are absorbed by porous materials such as paper, textiles, photographs, wood, and leather. Residues can be acidic, leave persistent odors, and complicate long-term preservation.
In Georgia responses, some of the most significant collections concerns have stemmed not from fire damage itself, but from prolonged smoke exposure inside historic buildings. Some of these are from controlled burns that still produce smoke that can negatively impact people and objects. You can check for active controlled burns and wildfires through the Georgia Forestry Commission's public viewer map.
Know Your Building & Area
Historic structures are often more vulnerable due to original windows, limited insulation, and older HVAC systems that pull in outside air.
This spring, review:
How your HVAC system operates during poor air quality
Who has authority to adjust system settings
Where replacement filters are stored
Which spaces house the most sensitive collections
Understanding airflow and filtration capacity is one of the most practical steps you can take.
Similarly, be aware of potential places that could have wildfires near you, such as parks where there is public camping or cooking, spaces that receive above average lightening strikes, and/or potentially places where hazardous chemicals are stored in your community. You can use the Georgia Forestry Commission's VSmoke tool to assess how fire and/or smoke may spread in these locations, like below which shows the potential cone of impact for a 3 hour fire in a local park in Atlanta.
Plan Before Conditions Deteriorate
Wildfire preparedness does not require major upgrades. It requires clear decisions in advance.
Determine who can close outside air intake if needed, and ensure that the information on how to do this is shared with people that have this power. Identify areas where temporary barriers or portable filtration, such as an air purifier or Corsi-Rosenthal box could reduce exposure. For institutions open to the public, clarify who has authority to adjust hours or close if air quality declines.
Remember: Delays during a smoke event increase both health risks to on-site staff, volunteers, and visitors, as well as exposing potentially sensitive collections.
After a Smoke Event
If smoke has entered your building, and environmental response has begun, begin documenting,
Exposure dates
Photograph visible residue
Monitor environmental conditions.
Avoid immediate large-scale cleaning. Improper methods can spread or embed particulates. Stabilizing indoor air quality—through filter replacement and controlled ventilation once outdoor conditions improve—should come first.
Institutions that focus on environmental control before cosmetic cleanup are more likely to limit long-term damage.
Expanding the Preparedness Lens
Wildfire may not be Georgia’s most frequent hazard, but smoke exposure is increasingly part of the state’s environmental reality. Prepared institutions plan not only for flames, but for infiltration, residue, and air quality impacts. A brief review this spring can prevent complicated recovery later.
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