While residents are eager to return to the devastated site due to fire, authorities have warned the dangers of toxic remains, especially without protective equipment.
Dangerous goods in the fire prevention area contain batteries, ammunition, propanked tanks, insecticides, cleaning agents, etc., which can be dangerous if exposed to heat or fire. According to experts, ash in burnt areas may contain harmful chemicals.
In other words, it is not a good idea to carry the trash can to the destruction area and clear the rubble yourself.
“The soil is greatly influenced by many pollutants. Ashes have a lot of various by -products of construction,” said Mark Pess Angeles Director Mark Pestrella, Los Angeles County, Pacific Palisese. Talked to the residents. He added that it is not safe to contact such substances without wearing personal protective equipment.
The topic of rubble removal was a controversy between Mayor Karen Bus and President Trump at the round table conference on Friday. President Trump had baked more than 23,400 acras and visited Parisase to investigate the damage caused by the wind that destroyed at least 6,808 buildings, including many houses.
The president suggested that the residents should investigate their own debris and start rebuilding immediately. Mr. Bus emphasized that doing that was not safe. This debate caused a fierce debate on social media.
The U.S. Army Corps, which covers the removal of rubble in the fire area, has begun investigating burnt areas along Malibi’s Pacific Coast Highway this week. Colonel Eric Swenson, the Army Corps, said at a local meeting that it could take up to 18 months to complete rubble removal.
“We want to remove all public health dangers, regain this place into your hands, and make it possible to rebuild your life and living,” said Swenson at the Parisase meeting. 。
At least, the residents should wait for the Environmental Protection Agency to complete the first stage of the removal of harmful waste. This process seems to take several months. Pestrellella stated that EPA would set up placards that proved that harmful waste had been removed in all removed parcels.
Swenson said that the authorities needed permission from the real estate owner to carry the remaining rubble. Swenson stated that residents who are considering participating in private property rubble removal programs of the Army Kingdom, which are provided free of charge under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will need to participate as soon as possible.
Real estate owners can also ask a private company to remove rubble and submit an insurance claim.
“There is a risk to return to your premises,” says Swenson. “There will be nails everywhere. If you have a basement, you may be hidden. There are burned wood without structural strength. There is a danger lurking. If you are your own land. If you go back to the sifting ash, I just recommend that you only need to be careful until the EPA is removed. I definitely recommend it.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Bureau announced last week to prohibit cleaning facilities damaged by fire and removing rubble until the test of dangerous goods was completed.
Los Angeles County warns about handling fire rubble in a flyer posted to X on Friday.
The flyer stated, “Please enter at your own risk.” “The rubble in the house after the fire may contain asbestos, lead, mercury, chemicals from household goods, and other toxic substances such as other heavy metals. These substances are serious for health. Bring a risk. “
In another post, LAFD’s firefighting chief warned that the return to the fire area was too early.
“I don’t recommend returning to these burns. It’s not just safe,” said Branden Silverman on Saturday. “In some places, I have seen a cleaning kit with buckets, brooms, and other cleaning supplies to residents. I am convinced that this is done with the best intention. Unless you use the appropriate protective equipment and technology, you will be dangerous if you try to clean your facilities. “
It took nearly a month after the camp fire that caused the dead in 2018 that some residents could return to their abandoned home due to fire.
At the round table meeting on Friday, Mr. Bus promised to “omit complicated procedures” to promote a quick and rational reconstruction process. However, she and other cities and county officials asked the people to wait patiently until the crew was completed so that residents could return to the residents safely.
“The first thing we need to work on is to dispose of harmful waste and clean up things so that people can start right away,” said Bus.
President Trump criticized the deadline of 18 months, stating that the residents should be able to immediately remove rubble from their premises.
“They want to start right now. They want to start removing things. We are not allowed to do it now,” said Trump. “You mentioned harmful waste. What is harmful waste? You need to define it. Are you going to make all a series of questions to judge what is harmful waste? ? “
“No, no, no, no,” said the bus.
“I think it is necessary to allow people to enter the scene and start the process tonight,” Trump said.
In the second half of the meeting, Mr. Bus said that residents are likely to be allowed to return within a week.
“The most important thing is that people are safe,” she said.
Times’s staff writer, David Znizer, Karen Garcia, and Hannah Fly have contributed to the report.
Source link