The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated assessments to determine the extent of hazardous waste left behind by recent wildfires. The EPA incident commander, Tara Fitzgerald, announced that personnel are currently on the ground in the Eaton and Palisades areas conducting these assessments.
Workers equipped with head-to-toe protective gear are tasked with identifying and removing all visible hazardous waste from residential properties. This crucial step must be completed before the next phase of cleanup can commence.
Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of addressing household hazardous materials promptly to mitigate risks to public health and ensure the safety of workers operating within the burn footprint. Hazardous items such as pesticides, batteries (including damaged lithium-ion batteries), fuel, and other potentially harmful substances are being targeted for removal.
The initial focus is on eliminating immediate threats posed by these materials, which would typically be disposed of in household hazardous waste management landfills. By swiftly addressing these hazards, the EPA aims to create a safer environment for both residents and cleanup crews.
