As the 2022 wildfire season continues, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and its local and state partners, are actively working to establish recovery operations in Mariposa County following the Oak Fire.
Cal OES recently met with county officials and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to begin the initial planning to remove household hazardous waste that may pose a threat to human health, animals, and the environment such as batteries, herbicides, pesticides, propane tanks, asbestos siding, and paints. This work is done automatically for all residential properties that have been destroyed by the wildfire.
Cal OES staff meets with Mariposa County officials
Recovery staff discuss the Oak Fire
Along with state and local partners, Cal OES helped establish a Local Assistance Center to help survivors replace important documents and get connected with support services.
On July 22, Governor Gavin Newsom secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) to ensure vital resources were available to assist local, state, and tribal agencies responding to the fire. A State of Emergency was declared on July 23. The Oak Fire ignited on July 22 and has burned more than 19,000 acres and destroyed nearly 200 structures.
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.