EPA removes household hazardous waste from 2,600 California properties after wildfires

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 17 that it has completed the removal of household hazardous waste from more than 2,600 fire-damaged properties in seven counties across Northern and central California. The properties were impacted by wildfires that started in August. According to the EPA, removing this waste from the properties helped ensure that the materials were properly handled and disposed of, and also helps protect workers slated to begin removing ash and debris as part of the second phase of the cleanup.

“After another devastating fire season in California and the West, EPA marshalled resources from around the country to help the communities affected by the fires,” EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator John Busterud says. “We are honored to work with our dedicated state and local partners as California communities move forward in their recovery and rebuilding.” 

EPA began cleaning up properties in Santa Cruz County on Sept. 29, expanding into Monterey County on Oct. 10, and San Mateo County on Oct. 17. As fires continued to burn and destroy property throughout California, EPA’s scope of work grew to include Santa Clara, Fresno, Madera and Butte counties. The total parcels EPA assessed and cleaned up for each county are: Santa Cruz (1,016), San Mateo (21), Monterey (118), Santa Clara (101), Fresno (477), Madera (38), and Butte (874).

During this first phase of the cleanup, EPA removed household hazardous waste that included paint, solvents, pesticides, fuel, batteries and other combustible items. In the second phase, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery will begin removing solid waste, debris and ash.

At approximately 43 properties, crews could not enter the location due to a locked gate or fence, a property owner who denied access, dangerous trees or terrain, unstable structures or other unsafe conditions. Another 44 properties require additional household hazardous waste removal that could not be completed due to physical hazards at the site. These properties will be cleared of household hazardous waste by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control during the second phase of the cleanup.