Portland & the Portland Metro, OR · 24/7
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Soot, smoke odor, and structural fire cleanup handled end-to-end across Portland.
IICRC Certified
S500 / S520 standards
EPA Lead-Safe (RRP)
Certified renovator
Insurance Approved
Direct billing
BBB Accredited
Local & trusted
5.0 ★ Reviews
Portland homeowners
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration in Portland & the Portland Metro
A house fire is one of the most disorienting events a Portland family can face. Even after the flames are out, the work is just beginning: soot is acidic and etches finishes within hours, smoke odor penetrates porous old-growth fir framing and cedar siding at the molecular level, and water from suppression compounds the damage with secondary water and mold risk.
Independent Restoration Services of Portland has handled fire losses across the Portland metro for years. Our IICRC-certified Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) follow the IICRC S700 Standard from board-up through full reconstruction.
We are one of the only local Portland teams that self-performs every step - emergency board-up, soot and smoke cleanup, contents pack-out, structural deodorization, and the final rebuild - so you do not have to coordinate three different contractors during the worst week of your life.
- Emergency board-up and tarping
- Soot, smoke, and ash removal
- Thermal fogging and hydroxyl deodorization
- Contents cleaning and pack-out
- Coordination with your Oregon or Washington insurance adjuster
Common Causes
What causes fire & smoke damage restoration in Portland homes
Cooking fires
The leading cause of residential fires nationwide per the NFPA, typically grease ignition or unattended stovetops.
Heating equipment
Wood stoves, pellet stoves, space heaters, and chimney fires spike during Portland winter cold snaps.
Electrical faults
Aging knob-and-tube wiring in older Portland foursquares and Craftsman homes, overloaded circuits, and failed appliances.
Smoking and candles
Discarded smoking materials and unattended candles remain a top ignition source.
Lithium-ion battery fires
E-bike, e-scooter, and power-tool battery fires are an emerging cause and burn extremely hot.
Wildfire ember intrusion
During PNW wildfire smoke events, embers can ignite dry moss, cedar shakes, and attic debris in the West Hills and outer Multnomah County.
Warning Signs
How to tell you have a problem
- Visible char or structural fire damage
- Soot residue on walls, ceilings, vents, and contents
- Persistent smoke odor in HVAC, fabrics, and porous surfaces
- Yellow-brown staining on ceilings (protein soot from kitchen fires)
- Water damage from fire suppression
- Damaged electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems
What To Do Right Now
Before our crew arrives
- 1
Wait for the fire department all-clear
Never re-enter until Portland Fire and Rescue or your local district confirms structural and air safety.
- 2
Do not touch soot
Skin oils set soot into surfaces and finishes, turning a cleanable mark into permanent staining.
- 3
Do not run the HVAC
Soot circulating through ductwork spreads contamination to unaffected rooms.
- 4
Photograph everything
Document the scene before any cleanup or pack-out begins.
- 5
Call for emergency board-up
An unsecured fire-damaged property is a target for theft and Portland weather damage. We board up 24/7.
- 6
Notify your carrier
File the claim and request emergency mitigation authorization.
How It Works
Our Process
- 1
Secure the property
Board-up and tarping to keep your Portland home or business safe.
- 2
Damage assessment
Detailed IICRC S700 scope and photos for your carrier.
- 3
Cleanup and deodorize
Soot removal, HEPA filtration, and odor neutralization.
- 4
Restore
Surface refinishing, content restoration, and rebuild coordination.
On The Job
Recent fire & smoke damage restoration work in Portland
Real photos from IRS crews on the Portland metro job sites - not stock imagery.
Professional Equipment
The equipment we bring on every job
Consumer-grade tools won't reach professional dry standard or meet industry remediation requirements. Our crews arrive fully equipped from a Portland-based fleet - no waiting on rented gear from out of town.
- HEPA-filtered air scrubbers and negative-air machines
- Thermal foggers for porous-surface deodorization
- Hydroxyl generators for occupied-space odor neutralization
- Ozone generators for unoccupied severe odor
- Ultrasonic cleaning tanks for contents
- Soda blasting and dry-ice blasting for char removal
- Specialty soot sponges, surfactants, and degreasers
Standards & Certifications
Held to documented industry standards
Our fire restoration follows the IICRC ANSI/IICRC S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration. Soot is identified by type (dry, wet, protein, fuel-oil) before cleaning because each requires different chemistry. Using the wrong product can permanently set the residue.
Local & Independent
Why Portland homeowners choose a local restoration team
Fire restoration takes weeks or months. You want a team you can drive to, not a 1-800 number that routes to a different state. We meet on-site, communicate directly with your adjuster, and walk the rebuild with you at every stage.
Our office is in Portland and our crews are locals. References from past Portland-metro fire jobs are available on request.
Insurance & Pricing
Direct insurance billing - and what to expect on cost
Fire claims have multiple components: structure, contents, additional living expenses (ALE), and code upgrades. We document each separately so nothing is missed at settlement.
We coordinate directly with your adjuster, contents specialist, and any independent appraisers. Our scopes are written in Xactimate and reconcile cleanly.
Typical project ranges
Fire losses range widely. A small kitchen grease fire with smoke spread might be $8,000 to $25,000 total. A whole-house structural fire with contents pack-out and rebuild commonly runs $80,000 to several hundred thousand. Insurance covers the vast majority on a covered loss.
Related Services
Specialized fire & smoke damage restoration services
Smoke & Odor Damage Cleanup
Soot removal, HEPA filtration, and hydroxyl odor neutralization in Portland.
Learn more →Odor Removal & Deodorization
Smoke, pet, and mold odors neutralized, not masked, across Portland.
Learn more →Emergency Board-Up & Roof Tarping
Same-day board-up and tarping after fire, storm, or vehicle impact in Portland.
Learn more →Contents Cleaning & Pack-Out
Restore your belongings - clean, deodorize, and store securely in Portland.
Learn more →Reconstruction & Rebuild
One team from mitigation through full rebuild across the Portland metro.
Learn more →Air Duct & HVAC Cleaning
NADCA-style cleaning to remove smoke, soot, and contaminants from Portland ductwork.
Learn more →Service Area
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration across the Portland Metro, OR
Locally dispatched from Portland to every community in our service area.
Fire & Smoke Damage in PortlandFire & Smoke Damage in BeavertonFire & Smoke Damage in HillsboroFire & Smoke Damage in TigardFire & Smoke Damage in TualatinFire & Smoke Damage in Lake OswegoFire & Smoke Damage in West LinnFire & Smoke Damage in Oregon CityFire & Smoke Damage in MilwaukieFire & Smoke Damage in Happy ValleyFire & Smoke Damage in ClackamasFire & Smoke Damage in GreshamFire & Smoke Damage in TroutdaleFire & Smoke Damage in FairviewFire & Smoke Damage in WilsonvilleFire & Smoke Damage in SherwoodFire & Smoke Damage in VancouverFire & Smoke Damage in CamasFire & Smoke Damage in SandyFire & Smoke Damage in Damascus
Other restoration services we offer
Insurance Carriers
We work directly with your insurance company
We bill most major homeowner and commercial carriers directly, including:
Don't see your carrier? We work with many more insurance companies across Oregon and SW Washington. Call (503) 883-8429 to confirm yours.
FAQ
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration FAQ
Additional resources
External links to authoritative agencies, standards bodies, and government resources.
From our blog
Portland guides on fire & smoke damage restoration
Fire Damage
First 24 Hours After a House Fire: A Portland Homeowner's Guide
Most Portland home fires start in the kitchen and Portland Fire & Rescue is on scene fast. The next 24 hours decide whether smoke stays in the kitchen or fills the whole house, and whether your claim moves smoothly.
Fire Damage
Wildfire Smoke and Portland Indoor Air Quality
When the Cascades, the Gorge, or Southern Oregon burns, Portland AQI spikes for days. Here is how smoke gets inside your home, what to do during the event, and how to clean up after.
Reviews
What Portland Says About Us
5.0
Need restoration help right now?
We're available 24/7 across Portland and the Portland metro. Call now or request a free estimate.