The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced earlier this week that it finished phase one of its work in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas, clearing about 9,200 properties.
However, despite removing over 300 million tons of hazardous material, EPA deemed thousands of properties “too toxic” for clearing until phase two – which will be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers.
“We, for this mission, do not have heavy equipment with us to help remove those physical safety hazards,” explained EPA Palisades Branch Director Ashley Nilsen. “So we have to defer those properties to phase two to the Army Corps, who, as a part of their mission, does have the right equipment and expertise to deal with those physical hazards on the properties.”
Residents cannot begin rebuilding until properties have been cleared, but officials said deferring the properties to the Army Corps shouldn’t change the time frame when it comes to the rebuilding process.
“The Corps is already here, they’re following right behind us,” Nilsen told KTLA’s Erin Myers. “As soon as we defer a property to phase two for the issues we’ve discussed, it goes right into the Corps’ bucket to address that property.”
Fire debris has also started to make its way into the ocean, leading to an ocean water advisory from Las Flores State Beach to Santa Monica State Beach.
Sediment tests are being done and the L.A. County’s Department of Beaches and Harbors has been removing debris daily.
At this time, officials are encouraging beachgoers to stay out of the water.
In addition, with more rain on the way to SoCal, there are concerns for those working in the toxic waste areas – but the EPA said teams have still been able to work during previous storms.
