PHASE 1
Hazardous waste removal

To reduce exposure for cleanup crews and the public, visible hazardous waste and bulk asbestos (only that which can be seen; a test will be done as part of Phase 2) are removed fro burned properties by either:

• California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Properties are not safe after Phase 1, which only removes visible hazardous waste. Harmful materials like lead, mercury, arsenic and asbestos can be hidden under heavy debris or mixed into ash and soil.

Examples of household hazardous waste:

• Auto and household batteries
• Pesticides and other chemicals
• Paints and thinners
• Aerosol cans
• Asbestos siding, pipe insulation and floor tiles
• E-waste, such as televisions and computer screens Phase 1 happens automatically at no cost.

Site assessment schedules Because assessment teams must visit many properties each day, it’s not possible to schedule specific appointments for owners to be on-site.

PHASE2

Step 1: Cleanup options
Communicate directly with your county about which of these two options you select to do the required debris cleanup:
• You can enroll in a government-managed and funded program or hire a private contractor.

• Enroll in the government program by submitting a right-of-entry form to your county.

State-managed cleanup has no out-of-pocket costs for property owners. Note: Several steps may occur simultaneously.

Step 2: Site assessment Teams inspect each property to create a safe plan to remove debris.

Step 3: Asbestos Specialists test for and remove asbestos that wasn’t taken during Phase 1.

Step 4: Debris removal Government-managed crews clear ash, debris and contaminated soil after giving property owners 24 to 48 hours' notice. To protect the public and community:
• Crews tape off the ash footprint, allowing only workers in full protective clothing to enter.

• Crews divide debris into four categories and haul it to the correct disposal or recycling facility.

Metal 2% Concrete 15% Contaminated soil 15% Ash and debris 68% Project timeline: A typical property can be cleared in two days if there are no access issues such as locked gates, terrain challenges or weather-related impacts.

Step 5: Soil testing Contractors test soil samples for contaminants like lead or mercury and remove tainted soil. If a section still tests high, crews remove 3 to 6 more inches of soil and retest.

The goals of soil testing are to leave a property safe for families, children and pets as well as protect groundwater, wildlife and air quality.

Step 6: Hazardous tree removal Contractors identify and remove trees in danger of falling on public property or deemed a hazard to crew safety.

Step 7: Erosion control Crews place mulch where structures once stood to limit erosion. This protects the soil and watershed. Areas that contain ash are covered with seedless hydro mulch, a wood-based application that will not sprout.

Step 8: Final walk-through State supervisors inspect the property to verify that all work was completed satisfactorily. Contractors are paid after state inspection. Certification by the county is required to file for a building permit.

Storing the hazardous debris

The EPA is opening two locations for the collection and sorting of hazardous materials taken from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which has sparked opposition from cities near the San Gabriel Valley site.