Resources and Advice for Anyone with Paintings Damaged by LA Area Fires
Having lived in Porter Ranch (northern LA County) for much of my life, I’ve both evacuated and watched several wildfires creep into our backyard at home. Having worked in Playa del Rey for much of my career, I’ve treated many paintings damaged by fires (and ensuing mudslides) across LA and Santa Barbara Counties. We all expect soot and ash after a fire, but mold and canvas warping are also common (due to water and other substances sprayed during containment efforts), which is why I have included the following AIC resources in this email. I’ve also listed a bunch of painting-specific advice towards the end.
When the time is right or if asked, I encourage anyone with friends, family, or colleagues who own or care for art in the LA area to share these recovery resources from the FAIC:
No matter which type of object was damaged in the fire, photograph everything, be wary of “invisible” damage you might not notice immediately, handle with caution, wear protective equipment, reach out to your insurance agent ASAP, and seek help from a professional if needed. Conservators in the LA area might be overwhelmed with other calls and emails from people in similar situations, but they will want to give advice if they can. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Most of the above advice applies to a wide variety of fine art and cultural heritage objects, but below are a few ways to care for paintings in particular.
What to Do if Your Painting Was Damaged During a Fire (or by Recovery Efforts)
Photograph every part of the painting: verso, recto, tacking edges, and any particular areas of concern. Use a wooden skewer to focus your camera on small areas of damage that it might blur. Place a small ruler next to areas of damage so that you can easily communicate with a conservator and/or your insurance agent.
If your painting is covered by your fine art, homeowner’s, or renter’s insurance (or another policy), contact them immediately; they might prohibit you from intervening until a conservator or one of their agents consults on the damage. If you work with a conservator, they’ll relay information about the painting’s condition and potential treatment to your agent.
If you do take action, record everything you did to the painting so you can share that information with a conservator.
When moving paintings damaged in a fire, do not assume that the frame is still structurally sound; frames with plaster molding may have weakened when exposed to high heat and/or moisture.
If paintings become wet, do not lift them too quickly. The added weight can cause the canvas to move unpredictably and the paint to cleave from it. Ask someone else to help you if needed.
Do not use compressed air on the verso or recto of moist paintings. While this is generally fine for textiles, it can damage friable paint.
Do not dab at the paint layer with any woven textiles or microfiber cloths, as they can catch impasto and lifted paint.
Do not attempt to use smoke or soot sponges until the painting is fully dry.
Do not “rub” the soot away; it can be abrasive and might damage the paint layer.
Do not attempt to remove a varnish even if it has bloomed or blistered during the fire or water spraying; its relationship to the paint may have changed under such extreme conditions.
If you see mold forming on the paint layer, do nothing except remove the painting from a damp environment and place it in an area with good circulation if it is safe to do so.
However, if mold forms on the stretcher or strainer and the painting is now mostly dry, you can lightly brush away the active mold into a vacuum nozzle with a HEPA filter. Then, you can apply isopropyl alcohol to a paper towel and dab at the wood with the towel. The paper towel should be mostly dry when you apply it to the stretcher, strainer, or canvas. Wear protective gear and avoid any areas of the stretcher/strainer with inscriptions or labels. It’s best that you wait for a conservator to do this.
My parents, sister, and friends still live in Pasadena, the Palisades, and the Valley, so these disasters feel personal. I am deeply sorry for everyone who has been evacuated, lost their homes, and/or is still awaiting news.
While I no longer live in LA, I am more than happy to answer any questions you, your family, friends, or colleagues might have. I can also refer you to conservators working solely in the LA/Ventura areas if you would rather work with someone hyper-local. Please feel free to call or email me—I promise no question is too small or silly.
