Officials provide update on wildfire debris removal, environmental testing in Los Angeles burn scar areas
It has been several weeks since the recovery process began following the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires and crews have made progress clearing hazardous and fire debris from properties in burn scar areas, officials say.
At a news conference Wednesday morning, officials provided an update on the status of debris removal and the plan for environmental testing to ensure residents can safely rebuild.
"We are working across both fire-impacted areas and making great, great progress. We also began debris removal on the Pacific Palisades Charter High School, that has been ongoing for several days," said Colonel Eric Swenson, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Four of the five schools within the Pasadena Unified School District that we were tasked to clear have had their primary ash and debris removed."
Bill Dunbar with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said as of Tuesday night, of the more than 13,000 properties impacted by the fires in both zones, the agency has completed over 80% of its work. Dunbar said about 3,400 properties have been deferred to the Army Corps of Engineers, which is leading Phase 2 of the fire debris removal.
"EPA defers to Phase 2 those properties where there are unsafe conditions for our workers," Dunbar said.
The U.S. EPA has been using staging locations to hold the hazardous waste before it is permanently removed to different locations.
The debris removal process has raised concerns with residents who say they are worried about hazardous waste ending up near their homes. In Calabasas, protesters have shown up several times this week at the local landfill trying to stop crews from dumping fire debris there.
Residents said they were not properly notified that the debris would be taken there, and they are worried about the health impacts it could have near residential and school communities.
LA County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath addressed some of the concerns and said local leaders have no authority over where the debris is being taken or disposed of. She said that authority lies with state and federal officials.
The county has identified about 17 landfill locations that are permitted by the state to receive this hazardous debris and Horvath said that list was provided to state officials.
Swenson said crews are using the wet method and plastic-lined trucks to ensure when the debris is transported to a landfill, dust and ash do not spread.
LA County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said the county is working with several other agencies and departments to carry out the comprehension post-fire assessment.
Ferrer said the environmental assessment includes air quality monitoring for harmful pollutants, soil sampling to identify toxic residues and water quality analysis to identify the effects of the fires on drinking water sources.
"Findings from the partners collaborating on the assessment plan will be shared publicly and updated regularly to ensure transparency and provide residents with requested information," Ferrer said.
