The Solano County Department of Resource Management’s Environmental Health division has begun the process of removing debris that was created in the wake of the LNU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned close to 42,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of properties in unincorporated Solano County last month.
On Aug. 29, Dr. Bela Matyas — Solano’s public health officer — issued a public health emergency which called for the safe removal, transport and disposal and fire debris. The debris has the potential for widespread toxic exposure, county officials wrote in a news release.
As a result of the order, the county created the two-phase Disaster Debris Removal Program. The first phase started Wednesday and consisted of identifying, collecting and disposing of household hazardous wastes such as barbecue-sized propane tanks, paints, household cleaners, car batteries, fuel tanks, pesticides and fertilizers. The program also began removing electronic waste such as televisions, computers, stereos and fax machines.
The work will also include certified asbestos consultants surveying materials that contain asbestos and removing them as time allows. Remaining asbestos will be marked on the property and removed during the second phase of the program, officials wrote. Once a property is cleared of hazards from the first phase, a sign will be posted to indicate which materials have been completely removed.
Property owners who wish to be exempt from the program may do so if their damaged or destroyed structure totals 120 square feet or less, did not store hazardous materials or where the onsite fire debris and ash is limited to vegetative material or nonhazardous material from accessory structures.
The first phase is offered at no cost to the property owners, officials advised. Disaster assistance funding is being provided in conjunction with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
For more information on the program, including exemptions, email the county’s Environmental Health Division at [email protected] or call 784-6765.
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