Napa area officials warn residents not to begin clearing fire-related debris until state officials have checked for hazardous materials.
“Debris and ash from residential and commercial fires is likely hazardous and may contain toxic substances due to the presence of synthetic and hazardous materials,” officials said. “Older building materials may contain asbestos and lead. Household hazardous waste such as gasoline, cleaning products, pesticides, and other chemicals may have been stored in homes, garages, or sheds that burned in the fire.”
These materials can become concentrated in ash and soil following a fire, they said.
“It is important not to expose yourself, your family or others to any of these materials,” officials said. “Exposures can occur by sifting through ash and debris, causing ash to become airborne and inhaled or ingested. Napa County is working to secure assistance from state agencies that will ensure proper handling and disposal of household hazardous waste products as well as debris and ash from the fire.” Officials from these agencies will be in Napa soon, they said, and ask for people’s patience, “as this process unfolds.”
Because ash and debris generated in the fire may be considered hazardous waste, do not transport ash or debris to landfills and transfer stations, they said. Debris and ash from burned structures should remain undisturbed until further instructions are issued, they said.
This recommendation is in place to protect the health of anyone who may come into contact with the waste, including solid waste facility employees, solid waste haulers, and the public. Commercial property owners requiring debris removal have the same two options however, the State will conduct the work at the property owner’s expense.
For residential property owners requiring debris removal, there will be two options:
• Sign up for the state program which will cover all hazardous waste removal, required sampling, and the removal of all debris and contaminated soil which will be done at no cost to the property owner. Property owners will be required to submit a Right of Entry form and provide their home insurance policy name and number. These forms should be returned to the Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department. More information on timing is forthcoming.
• Elect to have the clean-up and removal done on your own by submitting a Work Plan to the Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department for review and approval. This Work Plan must follow the same protocol and procedures required of and completed by the State. This work will be done entirely at the property owner’s expense. Property owners should be advised that sampling must be conducted by a licensed professional and the samples analyzed at an EPA certified testing laboratory. All debris removal must be completed by properly licensed professionals. The ash and soil must be disposed of at an appropriate landfill as required based on the sampling results. Documentation of this work will be required prior to any demolition or building permit being issued.
More information on both processes as well as the State’s estimate on timing will be forthcoming.
