Several miles of Los Angeles County coastline will remain closed indefinitely due to recent rainfall pushing possibly toxic and carcinogenic debris from the Palisades Fire into the ocean waters.
County of Los Angeles Public Health officials issued the Ocean Water Closure on Monday, urging beachgoers to avoid water and sand contact along the coast from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach.
“The closure will remain in effect until further notice,” L.A. County public health officials stated in a post on X.
An Ocean Water Quality Advisory extending past the Water Closure areas is also in place.
The advisory warning beachgoers that fire debris runoff could be hazardous is in place from Surfrider Beach to Las Flores State Beach and Santa Monica State Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way.
“Beach users are advised to stay away from any fire debris on the beach,” health officials stated.
The water quality concerns come as the cleanup process is just beginning for residents impacted by the Palisades Fire.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun removing hazardous debris like propane tanks and lithium electric car batteries from burned-out homes.
A temporary collection site was set up in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
