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Authorities caution against sifting through debris at fire-ravaged properties – Jobsmaa.com

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Residents eager to return to their area Properties destroyed by fireOfficials warn of the dangers of sifting through toxic debris — especially without protective gear.

Hazardous materials in fire zones include batteries, ammunition, propane tanks, pesticides, and cleaning products that become unsafe when exposed to heat and fire. May contain harmful chemicals According to experts, in the ashes of burned neighborhoods.

In other words, it's not a good idea to haul a dumpster to the destruction zone and clean up the debris yourself.

“The soil is heavily impacted by a number of pollutants. Ash includes various byproducts of construction,” Mark Bestrella, LA County's director of public works, told Pacific Palisades residents at a community meeting Thursday. He added that it is not safe to come into contact with such materials without wearing personal protective equipment.

Litter disposal has been the subject of a contentious exchange between Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. President Trump In a roundtable discussion on Friday. Trump was in the Palisades to survey the damage from the wind-driven inferno, which has burned more than 23,400 acres and destroyed at least 6,808 properties, including several homes.

The President suggested that the residents sift through the rubble themselves and start rebuilding immediately. Bass insists it's not safe to do that. The debate sparked heated debate on social media.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees debris removal in fire zones. The process began this week Exploring burned neighborhoods along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. At a community meeting, Col. Eric Swenson with the Army Corps of Engineers said the debris removal process could take up to 18 months to complete.

“We want to get this place back in your hands, barring all the public health risks, so you can rebuild your lives and your livelihood,” Swenson told the Palisades crowd.

At the very least, he said, residents should wait until the Environmental Protection Agency finishes The first phase of hazardous waste disposal – A process can take up to two months. Bestrella said the EPA will place a sign at each disposal site, certifying that the hazardous waste has been removed.

After that, officials must get permission from property owners to take out the remaining debris, Swenson said. Swenson said residents considering signing up for the Army Corps of Engineers Private Property Debris Removal Program, offered at no cost under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, should opt in as soon as possible.

Property owners can hire private companies to remove debris and submit an insurance claim for reimbursement.

“There's risk in returning to your property,” Swenson said. “There will be nails everywhere, and if you have a foundation it can be covered. There will be burned logs, they have no structural strength. There are dangers there. If you choose to go back to your property and extract the ash, I would advise caution. And the EPA is close to completing Phase 1 Household Hazardous Materials Removal. I would definitely advise you not to do that before.”

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an order prohibiting the cleanup or removal of debris on property damaged by the fire until a hazardous materials inspection is completed.

A Flier posted on Friday XLA County warned against handling fire debris.

“Enter at your own risk,” the flyer said. “Household debris after a fire can be dangerous and contain toxic substances such as asbestos, lead, mercury, chemicals from household products and other heavy metals. These substances pose a significant risk to your health.

In another post, an LAFD fire captainIn an unofficial capacity, he sounded the alarm on early returns to burned areas.

“I don't recommend that you go back to these burn areas. It's not safe,” Brandon Silverman said in a video posted on Saturday X. “I've seen residents in some places being given cleanup kits with buckets, brooms and other cleaning supplies. I'm sure it's done with the best of intentions.” , unless proper safety equipment and techniques are used, you are putting yourself at risk by attempting to clean the property yourself.

After the deadly camp fire in 2018, it took Almost a month for some residents able to return to their homes destroyed by fire.

During a roundtable discussion on Friday, Bass pledged to “cut red tape” to encourage a faster and more streamlined rebuilding process. But she and other city and county officials urged the public to be patient while crews complete the necessary work so residents can return safely.

“First we have to take care of … getting rid of the hazardous waste, cleaning things up so people can start right away,” Bass said.

Trump criticized the 18-month deadline, saying residents should be able to immediately remove debris from their properties.

“They want to start now. They want to start removing things. They're not allowed to do that now,” Trump said. “You mentioned hazardous waste. What is hazardous waste? You have to define it. Are we going to look at a whole series of questions that determine what hazardous waste is? “

“No, no, no, no, no,” Bass said.

“I think you should let people go to the floor and start the process tonight,” Trump said.

Later in the meeting, Bass said residents would be allowed to return in a week.

“The most important thing is for people to be safe,” he said.

Times staff writers David Janiser, Karen Garcia and Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

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