Updated Health Officer Order Requires Dust Control Measures for Fire Debris Removal in Palisades and Eaton Burn Areas

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an updated Health Officer Order requiring property owners within the Palisades and Eaton burn areas who plan to remove fire debris from their property but are not eligible for the government-run debris removal program (Phase 1 or Phase 2) to use best management practices for dust control during fire debris removal, transport, and disposal. These measures are essential to protect the health and wellbeing of those involved in fire debris removal and residents in surrounding areas.

Property owners or their contractors must adhere to the following dust control measures:

General Dust Control Measures

Water and/or an approved dust palliative must be used at each site to prevent dust nuisances.
Before removal, all areas of ash and debris must be pre-watered using a fine spray nozzle to prevent splashing.

Fire Debris Transportation

All fire debris must be transported to an approved landfill in a manner that prevents dust from escaping.
Loads must be wetted and covered with a tarp, including concrete and metal debris.
Ash and loose fire debris must be fully encapsulated with 10-mil plastic prior to loading and transport.

End-of-Day Debris Management

Any fire debris not removed or disposed of by the end of each workday must be consolidated, sufficiently wetted, and/or covered to prevent offsite migration of dust or contaminants.

Watering Dry Soil Areas

All visibly dry, disturbed soil surface areas must be watered during work to minimize dust emissions.

Trackout Prevention and Cleanup

Property owners or contractors must prevent dirt, dust, or debris from being tracked out onto public or private roads. If trackout occurs, cleanup must be done immediately, especially at site entrances and exits.
All visible trackout must be removed at the end of each workday.
Cleanup must include adequate wetting before or during the cleanup by either misting and manually sweeping or using a rotary brush or broom. The use of blower devices or dry rotary brushes/brooms to remove trackout is strictly prohibited.

Public Health requires all property owners and contractors to follow these measures to protect community health and ensure fire debris removal is conducted safely and responsibly.

View the Updated Health Officer Order here

For additional guidance or questions about these requirements, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Wildfire/

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