Precautions When Returning Home After the Fire
As neighborhoods are slowly deemed "safe" to return, please be aware of hazardous materials and structures impacts by the wind and fire.
Precautions When Returning Home After the Fire.
Areas that have been affected by the wildfire are impacted by smoke, soot, ash, chemicals, water, and structural damage. Before entering any area heavily damaged or destroyed by a wildfire, be sure that officials have cleared the area and allowed entry.
Once you can enter a burned-out area, please take appropriate precautions and be aware of hazards to your health and safety when returning to a property.
Phase 1: Hazardous Material Removal .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in Los Angeles County.
EPA’s work removing hazardous materials is Phase 1 of the federal cleanup Phase 2 is debris removal and will be coordinated by FEMA (not EPA).This work is free to residents.
As the first stage of cleanup, EPA will remove potentially dangerous everyday products like:
Paint Cleaners and solvents .
Oils
Batteries
Pesticides.
EPA will also remove asbestos and inspect pressurized fuel cylinders (like propane tanks) After a fire, these products require special handling, especially if their containers are EPA field teams will also remove items thought to have asbestos if they are easy to identify, but the property will not be fully cleared until Phase 2 (debris removal).
An EPA-led team will survey your property for work conditions. A second EPA-led team will remove hazardous materials. Once complete, the EPA will place a sign on your property If it is not safe for EPA teams to enter your property, hazardous material removal will be done during Phase 2 (debris removal)
