California advances state-funded wildfire cleanup

Survivors can sign up in Butte, Lake, Tehama, and Kern counties

SACRAMENTO - Removal of wildfire ash and debris removal has started in four California counties on properties whose owners signed up for the state's no out-of-pocket cost property cleanup program. State managed crews have begun clearing the remains of homes burned in the Park and Borel fires, while assessing properties to launch cleanups for the Thompson and Boyles fire sites.

Coordinating with Butte, Lake, Tehama, and Kern counties, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services tasked CalRecycle to manage cleanup contractors.

"With experience clearing disaster debris from over 23,000 properties, CalRecycle is prepared to help California's wildfire survivors recover and safely rebuild," CalRecycle Director Zoe Heller said. "We're proud to work alongside our state and local partners on this recovery effort to support survivors and keep communities safe from toxins."

Immediately after wildfires were contained, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control started an initial sweep of properties to remove the most visible household hazardous waste, like batteries, chemicals, and larger pieces with asbestos.

Removing wildfire debris

With Cal OES guidance, CalRecycle-managed contractors have begun safely removing remaining asbestos, ash, concrete and other debris with no out-of-pocket cost to survivors. Safety measures to protect communities' air, water and land include:

• Air monitoring, ash and dust suppression.
• Truck inspections and GPS tracking of debris truckloads.
• Removing hidden hazards, like asbestos.
• Cutting down fire-damaged trees that could fall on workers or public land.
• Testing soil for contaminants.

A step-by-step wildfire recovery guide is available for survivors in English and Spanish.

Joining the state-managed cleanup program

The government-funded program does not cost homeowners any money, but any insurance proceeds dedicated to debris removal must be paid back to the county. Property owners without this type of insurance have no cost. Over 450 wildfire survivors have enrolled and 85% have had site assessments. Homeowners can still join by returning a signed Right of Entry form to their local county:

• Butte County: Park and Thompson fires
• Kern County: Borel Fire
• Lake County: Boyles Fire
• Tehama County: Park Fire

Dangerous debris

Wildfire survivors awaiting cleanup of their property should avoid contact with ash and debris, which remains toxic and may contain hidden hazards, like lithium batteries that could explode. Spreading ash or debris beyond a property's existing ash footprint may result in disqualification from the government-funded program.