I’ll never forget the morning after the Camp Fire in 2018. I drove to a client’s home in El Dorado Hills—over 100 miles from Paradise—and their pool looked like someone had dumped bags of gray flour across the surface. Ash covered everything. The skimmer baskets were packed solid. The filter pressure gauge was maxed out. That pool taught me more about wildfire impacts than any textbook ever could.

I’m Cooper from Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services, and I’ve been a native Californian my entire life. I’ve seen droughts and floods, heat waves and cold snaps. But the frequency and intensity of wildfires over the past decade? This is different. This is our new normal, and as pool service professionals, we’ve had to completely rethink how we protect and maintain pools during fire season.

From the Bay Area to the Sierra Foothills, Napa Valley to Sacramento, I’ve dealt with dozens of ash-covered pools after major fire events. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what you absolutely must do immediately versus what can wait. This isn’t theoretical—it’s hard-won knowledge from actually dealing with these situations while smoke filled the air and ash continued falling.

If you own a pool in Northern California, wildfire season affects you whether fires burn nearby or hundreds of miles away. Let me share what I’ve learned about protecting your pool when the unthinkable happens.

Understanding Wildfire Impact on Pools

The first time I dealt with a seriously ash-impacted pool, I made the mistake of thinking it was just “really bad debris.” It’s not. Wildfire ash is fundamentally different from leaves, dirt, or pollen, and it requires completely different treatment.

What Happens When Ash Falls

Wildfire ash consists of incredibly fine particles—burned vegetation, structures, plastics, and everything else combusted in the fire. This fine particulate matter doesn’t just float on your pool surface like leaves. It absorbs water, gets heavy, and sinks. Once it sinks, it coats every surface and gets sucked into your filtration system.

I’ve seen pools where ash covered the surface so thickly you couldn’t see the water. I’ve also seen pools that looked “not too bad” from a distance but had a half-inch layer of gray sludge on the bottom. Both scenarios require immediate, aggressive response.

The chemical composition varies depending on what burned, but ash typically contains phosphates (algae food), raises pH dramatically, and can include metals that stain surfaces. It’s not just an aesthetic problem—it’s a chemical, mechanical, and structural challenge all at once.

How far does ash travel? During major fire events, I’ve dealt with ash-covered pools in Walnut Creek from fires burning in Lake County—over 80 miles away. Sacramento pools get ash from Sierra fires, Bay Area fires, even fires burning in Oregon when wind patterns align. Distance provides no protection when you’re downwind of major wildfires.

The Multiple Threats

Fine particulate matter overwhelms filters faster than anything I’ve encountered. Sand and DE filters clog within hours. Cartridge filters become completely packed. That beautiful, expensive filter you just replaced? It might need replacing again after a single major ash event.

pH and alkalinity go haywire. Ash is alkaline, pushing pH up dramatically. I’ve seen pools go from balanced 7.4 pH to over 8.2 overnight from ash. Total alkalinity spikes similarly, and the chemical imbalance affects everything else in the water.

Phosphates are the silent killer. They don’t directly harm anyone, but they’re plant food—and algae are plants. Ash introduces massive phosphate loads, creating perfect conditions for algae blooms that follow days after the ash settles. I’ve seen pools that looked fine initially turn green a week later because phosphates weren’t addressed.

Surface staining potential varies by pool finish, but plaster pools are particularly vulnerable. Certain metals in ash—iron, copper, manganese—can cause permanent staining if not addressed quickly. The staining I’ve seen after fire events required professional treatment or even acid washing to remove.

Equipment strain from constant operation during ash events accelerates wear. Pumps running 24/7, filters cleaning multiple times daily, chemicals being added constantly—all of this stresses systems designed for normal operation, not crisis response.

Why Normal Maintenance Isn’t Enough

My first major ash event, I told a client “just vacuum it and shock the pool.” That was terrible advice born from inexperience. Normal maintenance assumes normal conditions. Wildfire ash isn’t normal, and treating it like regular debris leads to problems that take weeks and hundreds of dollars to fix.

The cost of under-responding is substantial. I’ve seen pools that required draining and acid washing because the owner didn’t address ash aggressively enough initially. The staining, algae blooms, and filter damage from delayed response cost far more than the intensive immediate treatment would have.

Why waiting makes things worse: Ash sitting on surfaces stains them. Ash settling into water makes it harder to remove. Phosphates from ash feed algae that establish themselves. Overwhelmed filters develop tears or delamination from excessive pressure. Every hour you wait multiplies the eventual work required.

Immediate Actions During Wildfire Events

When ash starts falling—even light amounts—you need to take immediate action. Here’s the protocol I’ve developed through painful experience.

Cover If You Can (With Caveats)

Pool covers provide your best defense against ash if you can deploy them before ash falls heavily. But covers during fire events present challenges normal covering doesn’t.

Ash accumulates weight fast. I’ve seen covers sagging under ash loads, and when combined with water accumulation, you’re looking at serious weight that can damage covers or anchors. If you cover your pool, plan to remove ash frequently using a leaf blower or soft broom before it combines with moisture.

Pumping covers before removal becomes critical. That ash-laden water sitting on your cover will pour into your pool if you try removing the cover without pumping it off first. This ruins all the protection the cover provided.

When NOT to use covers: High winds during fire events (common combination) can turn partially-secured covers into projectiles or dump accumulated ash into your pool. If wind is significant, covering might cause more problems than it prevents.

If You Can’t Cover – Active Defense

Most of my clients can’t cover their pools during wildfire events because ash falls unexpectedly, they’re evacuated, or they don’t have covers. For these situations, active defense becomes essential.

Run circulation 24/7 during heavy ash fall. Yes, it costs more in electricity and filter cleaning. But keeping water moving prevents ash from settling and concentrating on the bottom. Moving water means ash stays suspended where you can skim it rather than forming that gray sludge layer.

I know the energy cost concerns people. But I’ve done the math: running your pump 24/7 for three days costs maybe $15-30 extra in electricity. Draining, acid washing, and resurfacing a pool because staining wasn’t prevented? That’s $3,000-8,000. The pump cost is nothing compared to potential damage costs.

Daily Surface Removal

During active ash fall, skim your pool multiple times daily—I’m talking every 2-3 hours if ash is falling heavily. Set phone alarms if you need to. This is your most important defense.

The technique matters: Skim gently to avoid pushing ash underwater. Use long, slow strokes letting the skimmer glide across the surface. Empty the net frequently—don’t overfill it or ash falls back into the pool. If you have a leaf rake, use it instead of a fine-mesh skimmer for initial heavy ash removal.

The biggest mistake I see? Waiting until ash “settles” to remove it. That’s exactly wrong. Once ash sinks and settles, your work quadruples. Ash on the surface takes 30 seconds to skim. Ash on the bottom requires vacuuming, multiple passes, and dealing with cloudy water. Skim it before it sinks—it’s far easier.

Filter Management

Check your filter pressure twice daily during active ash events. When pressure rises 8-10 psi above your clean baseline (which might happen in just hours during heavy ash), clean or backwash immediately.

I keep extra cartridge filters for my own pool specifically for fire season. When one set clogs, I swap in fresh cartridges and clean the dirty ones at my leisure. If you have cartridge filters, consider this investment—maybe $150-200 for a spare set that could save your pool.

Backwashing frequency for sand or DE filters can become absurd during fire events—I’ve backwashed pools three times in one day during heavy ash fall. Yes, you’re wasting water. But the alternative is a completely clogged filter, no circulation, and ash settling to the bottom where it causes all those problems I mentioned.

Recognize when filters are overwhelmed: If pressure stays high despite cleaning, if water flow diminishes significantly, or if filter media looks damaged or compressed beyond recovery, replacement might be necessary. I’ve replaced filters during fire events because they simply couldn’t be cleaned effectively anymore.

Chemical Adjustments

Test water twice daily during fire events—morning and evening minimum. Ash affects chemistry fast, and staying ahead of problems is far easier than catching up later.

Chlorine demand increases because you’re shocking more frequently, because higher pH reduces chlorine effectiveness, and because all that organic matter from ash consumes chlorine. Maintain slightly higher chlorine levels than normal—I aim for 3-5 ppm instead of the usual 1-3 ppm.

pH will spike from alkaline ash. I’ve added pounds of pH decreaser (dry acid) to pools during fire events. Test and adjust pH daily—don’t let it climb above 7.8 or your chlorine becomes increasingly ineffective.

Shock your pool daily or every other day during active ash fall and for several days after ash stops falling. This oxidizes organic matter and helps prevent the algae blooms that often follow fire events.

Pro Tip: I tell every client: skim ash before it sinks. Once it settles on the bottom, your work quadruples. Set a timer if you have to—skim every 2-3 hours during heavy ash fall. Your filter will thank you, your pool will thank you, and your wallet will definitely thank you.

Post-Wildfire Pool Recovery

Once ash stops falling, the real work begins. Here’s my systematic approach to pool recovery after fire events.

The Aftermath Assessment

Before doing anything, I walk around the pool evaluating what I’m dealing with. Water clarity tells me how much ash got through the skimming efforts. Filter condition shows whether I’m cleaning or replacing. Surface inspection reveals any staining that developed.

I check equipment performance—is the pump running normally? Does the filter show normal pressure post-cleaning? Is the heater functioning? Any strange noises or behaviors? Fire events stress equipment, and problems often reveal themselves during recovery.

Taking photos of conditions helps if insurance becomes involved and provides documentation of the event’s impact. I photograph water clarity, surface staining, ash accumulation in skimmer baskets, and any equipment issues.

Deep Cleaning Process

Brush every surface of your pool thoroughly—walls, floor, steps, behind ladders, corners, everything. The ash that settled or clung during the event needs to be broken loose and suspended for removal. I brush pools twice during recovery—once to loosen ash, then again after partial removal.

Vacuuming to waste versus to filter is a critical decision. If ash load is heavy, vacuum to waste (bypassing the filter and sending water straight to drain). You’ll lose water, but you’ll avoid completely destroying your filter. For moderate ash, vacuuming to filter works but requires frequent filter cleaning during the process.

Multiple cleaning passes are always necessary. First pass gets the obvious ash. Second pass gets what the first pass stirred up but didn’t catch. Sometimes a third pass is needed. Don’t expect one vacuuming session to resolve ash problems—plan for several.

Stubborn ash deposits in corners, step crevices, or textured surfaces might need spot treatment. I use a nylon brush (never wire—it can damage surfaces) and elbow grease to remove these deposits before they stain permanently.

Filter Deep Cleaning or Replacement

After fire events, filters need more than routine cleaning. Cartridge filters need soaking in filter cleaner solution for 8-12 hours to dissolve the fine ash particles embedded in the fabric. Sometimes even this doesn’t fully restore them.

Sand and DE filters need thorough backwashing—longer than normal, multiple cycles, sometimes even manual cleaning of multiport valves that get clogged with ash. DE filters often need complete teardown, cleaning of grids, and fresh DE.

When is replacement necessary versus when does cleaning suffice? If cartridges show visible damage, tears, or compressed areas that won’t return to normal shape, replace them. If sand has clumped or hardened, replace it. If DE grids show tears or delamination, replace them. The cost of new filter media is less than dealing with poor filtration all season.

I’ve replaced filters during fire recovery multiple times. Sometimes the ash load is simply too much for the filter to recover from, and continuing to use damaged filters just extends the recovery timeline while providing inadequate filtration.

Chemical Rebalancing

Complete water testing after the initial cleaning reveals what chemistry issues developed. Often you’re dealing with elevated pH, high alkalinity, zero chlorine (consumed during the event), high phosphates, and possibly high metals if ash contained them.

Address phosphate loads with phosphate remover products. This step is often overlooked but critical for preventing the algae blooms that commonly occur 5-10 days post-fire. I treat every post-fire pool with phosphate remover regardless of measured levels—the cost is minimal compared to fighting algae.

Clarifiers and enzymes help deal with the fine particulates and organic material that remain suspended despite filtration. I use both after fire events, running circulation continuously while they work to clear the water.

When to consider partial water replacement? If total dissolved solids are extremely high, if staining is extensive, or if water remains cloudy despite days of treatment, replacing 25-50% of water sometimes provides faster recovery than continued chemical treatment.

Dealing With Staining

Ash staining on plaster or other surfaces needs immediate attention. Metal stains from ash become permanent if ignored. I use metal stain removers as soon as staining appears, brushing them into affected areas and allowing them to work before vacuuming.

For stubborn staining, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) treatments can help, but severe staining might require professional acid washing. I’ve had to acid wash pools after major fire events where staining couldn’t be removed by normal methods.

Prevention for next time: More aggressive skimming before ash settles, faster response to visible ash on surfaces, and immediate chemical treatment when staining first appears all prevent staining from becoming permanent.

Equipment Inspection

Pumps that ran 24/7 during fire events need inspection. Check for unusual noises, heat, or vibration that might indicate bearing wear. Heaters especially need attention—ash can infiltrate burners, pilots, and heat exchangers in gas heaters, and heat pump coils can become caked with ash.

I’ve found ash inside pump housings (entered through vent holes), caked on heater burners, and even inside automation system enclosures. This contamination can cause failures weeks or months after the fire event if not addressed.

When to call for professional equipment service? If you notice any unusual behavior, sounds, or performance issues, or if you simply want peace of mind that equipment survived the event without developing problems. Our Pool System Installs and Upgrades team can inspect and service equipment after fire events.

“Cooper was very responsive on yelp, and was able to fit me into a next day appointment. Asking me questions in advance, he pre-purchased the part he thought was wrong, so he was prepared when he arrived at my house. Very professional, polite, and even took time to explain what he was doing.”

— Casey Q., Shingle Springs

Long-Term Impacts and Prevention

Multiple fire seasons have taught me about cumulative effects and how to better prepare for the inevitable next event.

What I’ve Seen Over Multiple Fire Seasons

Some pools bounce back quickly from fire events. Others develop ongoing issues—persistent staining, recurring algae blooms, equipment that fails prematurely. The difference? How aggressively the initial event was handled and whether preventive measures were implemented afterward.

Cumulative surface effects worry me. Pools that experience multiple fire events show faster plaster deterioration, more persistent staining, and generally age faster than pools in areas less affected by fires. The repeated chemical stress, staining, and aggressive cleaning take their toll.

Equipment longevity concerns are real. Pumps, filters, and heaters that endure multiple fire seasons need replacement sooner than equipment in fire-free areas. The 24/7 operation, constant cleaning cycles, and ash infiltration all accelerate wear.

Preparing for Fire Season

I now recommend pre-season equipment inspection specifically for fire preparedness. We check that equipment can handle extended operation, filters are in good condition for intensive cleaning cycles, and no underlying issues will fail under stress.

Stock emergency supplies before fire season: Extra filter cartridges or DE powder, phosphate remover, algaecide, shock, clarifier, and pH decreaser. When fires start, everyone rushes to pool stores simultaneously. Having supplies already means you’re ready regardless of store inventory.

Cover considerations: If you’re considering buying a cover, fire season is a strong argument in favor. Automatic covers provide best protection because they’re always ready to deploy. But even manual covers help if you’re home when ash starts falling.

The Client Relationship During Crises

During major fire events, we prioritize communication with clients. We check in, offer guidance, and provide emergency service when needed. Clients evacuating get specific instructions for pool preparation and what to expect when they return.

After events, we ramp up service capacity knowing many clients will need extra help. Recovery service often includes extra filter cleanings, water testing, and chemical adjustments beyond normal weekly service. This is when having an established relationship with a trusted pool service makes a huge difference.

“Outstanding service!!! They are simply amazing and do exceptional work. In addition they were extremely well priced and provided me with the highest quality materials that will last 20 years. Pinnacle Pools seems motivated not by money but by customer service.”

— Patrick H., Sacramento

Special Considerations

Fire season brings unique situations requiring specific guidance.

When You Must Evacuate

If you must evacuate, here’s what I tell clients: If you have time, cover your pool or at least set circulation to run continuously. Turn off heaters (prevent damage if power fails). Remove obvious debris from skimmers and pump baskets. Take photos of pool condition for documentation.

What to expect when returning depends on how long you were gone and whether ash fell. Best case: the pool needs standard cleaning. Worst case: you’re looking at the full recovery process I outlined earlier. Don’t be shocked by green water—it’s recoverable, just stressful to see.

Recovery priorities when returning: First, check equipment operation. Second, remove heavy surface debris and ash. Third, begin the deep cleaning and chemical rebalancing process. Don’t try to do everything immediately—systematic recovery works better than panic.

Air Quality and Pool Use

Even if your pool water is perfect, air quality during and after fires might make swimming unsafe or unpleasant. I follow the Air Quality Index (AQI) and advise clients to avoid swimming when AQI exceeds 150 (unhealthy for everyone).

Health considerations extend beyond just the pool. Breathing ash-contaminated air while swimming provides no benefit and carries real risks. Wait for air quality to improve before resuming normal pool use, regardless of water condition.

Helping Neighbors and Community

During fire events, I’ve helped neighbors cover pools, offered advice to pool owners who aren’t regular clients, and coordinated with other pool professionals to ensure everyone gets help. This isn’t about business—it’s about community support during crisis.

Covered pools get priority in my service schedule during recovery because they likely have less damage. Evacuated clients get next priority because they couldn’t defend their pools during the event. This triage system ensures those with greatest need get help first.

Insurance Considerations

Does homeowners insurance cover ash damage? Sometimes, depending on your policy and the extent of damage. I’ve seen claims approved for equipment damage, resurfacing costs, and even water replacement costs. Documentation is key—photos, receipts, and professional assessments all support claims.

The professional assessment I provide after major fire events can support insurance claims by documenting damage, identifying necessary repairs, and estimating costs. Some insurance companies require professional evaluation before approving fire-related pool damage claims.

Cooper’s Fire Season Checklist

Here’s my systematic approach to fire season preparedness and response.

Before Fire Season (April-May)

• Professional equipment inspection focusing on continuous-operation capability
• Stock emergency supplies: extra filters, chemicals, testing supplies
• Review and practice cover deployment if applicable
• Update client contact information and evacuation procedures
• Ensure adequate fuel/supplies for service vehicles

During Active Fires

• Monitor clients in fire-affected areas daily
• Provide real-time guidance on ash response
• Prioritize emergency service calls
• Maintain stock of critical supplies
• Document conditions for clients who evacuate

After Events

• Systematic recovery service scheduling
• Comprehensive damage assessment for each affected pool
• Equipment inspection and repairs as needed
• Documentation for insurance claims when requested
• After-action review: what worked, what didn’t, what to improve

We’re In This Together

Wildfire season is our reality now in Northern California. I wish it weren’t, but wishing doesn’t change facts. What we can change is how we prepare for and respond to fire events affecting our pools.

I’ve been fighting ash in pools since 2012, and every major fire event teaches me something new. I’ve made mistakes—giving inadequate advice early on, underestimating ash impacts, assuming normal maintenance would suffice. These mistakes taught me the protocols I now follow and recommend to clients.

Your pool represents a significant investment in your property and quality of life. Fire season threatens that investment, but with proper preparation and aggressive response, pools can emerge from fire events without permanent damage. It takes work—more work than any of us want to do—but it’s absolutely possible.

At Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services, we’re committed to helping clients through fire season challenges. We’ve developed these protocols through hard experience, and we’re constantly adapting as we learn more. From the Bay Area to Sacramento, Napa Valley to the Sierra Foothills, we’re here to help protect your pool when the inevitable next fire event occurs.

We can’t control wildfires, but we can control how we respond to their impacts. Preparation, quick action, and systematic recovery make all the difference between pools that bounce back quickly and those that develop long-term problems.

Stay safe out there, and don’t hesitate to reach out if fire season impacts your pool. We’re in this together.

Contact Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services for fire season preparation or recovery assistance: Sacramento Area: (916) 530-2096 | Bay Area: (925) 849-6545 | Toll Free: (888) 994-7665 (POOL)

Professional pool service, equipment repair, and emergency response for residential and commercial properties throughout Northern California. Serving our community through fire season and beyond since 2012.