Beginning in August 2021, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) mobilized resources at the direction of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for emergency Phase 1 cleanup operations to remove Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) from properties impacted by six wildfires this year.
As northern California faces unprecedented wildfire activity, DTSC is currently working with local governments and state agencies to protect the public by removing HHW such as lead-acid and household batteries; compressed gas cylinders; bulk pesticides, fertilizers, and pool chemicals; paints, thinners, and aerosol cans; asbestos siding, pipe insulation, and tiles.
Below, Cal OES is providing an update on the work being done to clear HHW from homes impacted by the following fires:
Beckwourth Fire (Lassen and Plumas Counties)
- DTSC completed HHW removal on 144 parcels in Lassen and Plumas counties
Cache Fire (Lake County)
- DTSC mobilized on August 25 for HHW assessments on 70 structures in Lake County and has completed all assessments
DTSC crews work to remove batteries from fire-damaged boats in Lake County
Household hazardous waste being removed from fire-ravaged properties following the Cache Fire
Caldor Fire (El Dorado County)
- DTSC has begun assessments on 715 properties in El Dorado County
DTSC crews remove HHW from Walt Tyler Elementary School in Grizzly Flats in El Dorado County
Dixie Fire (Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Tehama Counties)
- On August 24, DTSC began HHW removal in Plumas County.
DTSC crews work to remove household hazardous waste from a property in Plumas County
Fawn Fire (Shasta County)
- DTSC begun assessments on 117 parcels on October 12
DTSC crews working to remove debris in Shasta County
Lava Fire (Siskiyou County)
- DTSC began assessments on 59 parcels on September 14
DTSC crews begin Phase 1 operations in Siskiyou County
McFarland Fire (Tehama County)
- on October 12, DTSC crews mobilized to assess 28 parcels affected by the McFarland Fire
HHW being removed from properties in Tehama County
Monument Fire (Trinity County)
- DTSC has assessed 24 properties affected by the Monument Fire
DTSC crews removing HHW in Trinity County
DTSC crews loading HHW into trucks for removal
River Fire (Placer and Nevada Counties)
- Assessments of affected properties began August 30
DTSC HazMat crews in Nevada County assessing properties impacted by the River Fire
DTSC Emergency Response Phase 1 Operations in Nevada County on properties impacted by the River Fire
DTSC crews removing household hazardous waste in Placer County
Tamarack Fire (Alpine County)
- HHW work completed on August 6
The public can track the progress of statewide wildfire hazardous waste cleanup on a real-time dashboard mapping system. Information will be uploaded as soon as it becomes available.
Additional information on the Cal OES Statewide Debris Removal Program can be found here.
More information regarding DTSC’s emergency response to wildfires and management of hazardous waste can be found here.