Residents urged to avoid fire wreckage cleanup

With residents anxious to return to their fire-ravaged properties, authorities are warning of the dangers of sifting through the toxic wreckage — especially without protective gear.

Hazardous items in the fire zones can include batteries, ammunition, propane tanks, pesticides, and cleaning products that can become unsafe when exposed to heat and fire. Harmful chemicals can be present in the ash in charred neighborhoods, according to experts.

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

The topic of debris removal was the subject of a contentious exchange between Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and President Trump at a roundtable discussion. Trump had traveled to the Palisades to survey the damage wrought by a wind-driven inferno that burned more than 23,400 acres and destroyed at least 6,808 properties, including many homes.

The president suggested residents should be allowed to sift through the wreckage themselves and start rebuilding right away. Bass emphasized that it isn’t safe to do that. The discussion spurred a charged debate on social media.

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

Property owners can also hire private companies to conduct the debris removal and submit an insurance claim for reimbursement.

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

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