Crystal Air Duct Solutions blog
Wildfire Smoke in Air Ducts: What Malibu Homeowners Should Do
How smoke and ash get into ductwork, and the steps to clean it out after a fire.
Short answer
Wildfire smoke and ash get into ductwork through the return side of the HVAC system, gaps around doors and windows, and fresh-air intakes. After the smoke clears, change your filter, then have the ducts inspected and cleaned to remove soot and ash so the smell stops circulating.
Published 2026-10-19 · By the Crystal Air Duct Solutions team
How smoke gets in
Your HVAC system pulls air from inside the house through the returns. When smoke seeps in around windows and doors, the returns draw it into the ductwork, where fine ash and soot settle on every surface.
During heavy smoke
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Run the system on recirculate, or turn it off if smoke is heavy.
- Change the air filter as soon as the air clears.
After the smoke clears
Book a duct inspection to see how much residue reached the ducts. If there is visible soot or a lasting smoky smell, a full cleaning removes it, and sanitizing can help with odor. Keep before-and-after photos for any insurance claim.
Related service
Wildfire Smoke Duct Cleaning: Ash, soot and smoke residue removed from ductwork after a fire or heavy smoke days.
Call (310) 361-9813More articles
Ready for cleaner air at home?
Call any time; our phone is answered 24/7. Appointments every day from 6 AM to 8 PM.