In time for the mini heat wave that enters the weekend, local public health officials lifted a seawater advisory on beaches in the Malibu and Santa Monica regions affected by the Palisade fire in January.
Officials are considering safe water for recreation, but they are still warning beach fans to avoid fire-related debris they encounter in the ocean.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department announced that the saltwater advisory located in Las Flores Beach has been lifted to Santa Monica State Beach.
The decision was based on water tests and analysis conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Committee on Seawater and Sand between the end of January and mid-March.
Both regions were tested for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These are all chemicals that can be found in water spills based on previous California wildfires.
The results showed that “there are no chemicals associated with wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health.”
Beach fans have green light to jump into the water on these beaches and hang out on the sand. However, public health officials continue to warn people that they should avoid fire debris found on water or on land.
They also ask to avoid being on or near a burned-out facility, as fire fragments can contain physical dangers such as harmful substances and glass, metal, and sharp wooden debris.
It is important to note that high tides can transport fire debris to the sea, creating dangerous conditions.
“In coastal areas, we are approaching burnt or destroyed facilities, particularly on the inland side of the Pacific Coastal Expressway (PCH), but the debris from the recent fires have not yet been completely cleaned,” the new release states. “As the tide rises, these debris can be washed away by the water, pose a danger to people in or near the ocean.”
To stay up to date with current water recommendations, including fire-related recommendations, visit the Department of Public Health’s Marine Water Quality website.
The county’s beach closure hotline provides recorded information about beach status 24 hours a day: (800) 525-5662. Maps of affected locations are also available online.
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