Health Risks Loom as California Fire Evacuees Return Home

January 20, 2025 TruthUSA

Risks involve contaminated water, hazardous debris, and the possibility of landslides, while strong winds are making a return.

On January 20, officials permitted more residents of Southern California to return to their homes in areas impacted by the devastating wildfires, but many are confronted with dangers such as contaminated water, hazardous debris, and the risk of landslides.

The major wildfires, Palisades and Eaton, which ignited on January 7, continue to burn. This week, fire crews have gained the advantage on both fronts despite the resurgence of Santa Ana winds and red-flag fire danger weather alerts, as indicated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Management (Cal Fire).

As residents start to return, Los Angeles County has issued warnings regarding dangerous wind-driven dust and ash, as well as hazardous debris.

On Sunday, the county’s public health department released a dust and ash advisory in anticipation of another wave of strong Santa Ana winds predicted to impact the area beginning Tuesday.

“Wind-driven dust and ash consist of tiny particles that may provoke irritation or worsen existing health issues, especially for children, seniors, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung ailments,” the department stated in a statement.

Health authorities recommended that the public stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, wear masks, and protect their eyes.

On January 15, the county health official released an order cautioning the public about the debris and ash resulting from the fire, specifically in regions affected by the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Creek, Hurst, and Lidia fires. The first two fires have devastated nearly 40,000 acres, or 63 square miles. Among the last four, the Kenneth fire is the largest, consuming approximately 1,000 acres, or 1.6 square miles.

Any cleanup or debris removal must receive approval and comply with local, state, and federal regulations as outlined in the health order.

“Examples of fire debris include charred building materials (wood, metal, concrete), damaged household items, fragments of building foundations, and soil contaminated by the fire around burned structures or affected regions, which may harbor harmful substances,” the order stated.

The public is also warned that fire-affected lithium-ion batteries—commonly found in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems—pose a “significant risk and should not be handled,” as per the health order.

The Pacific Palisades Fire has claimed 10 lives and destroyed 6,051 homes, having spread over 23,700 acres, or 37 square miles, as of Monday and is currently 59 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Officials are re-evaluating evacuation protocols to facilitate residents’ return on Monday.

“Crews are collaborating with utility providers to repair infrastructure and address hazards such as fallen trees and downed power lines,” Cal Fire announced on Monday. “The public is reminded to remain vigilant regarding current fire conditions.”

The fireplace and chimney of a home destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 16. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) — The fireplace and chimney of a home destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 16. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Several zones around the fire-affected area remained under evacuation orders as of Monday. Authorities allowed the return of one area—located north of South Topanga Canyon Boulevard and south of Encina Road—and lifted evacuation alerts for two other sections.

“A soft closure means the area is inaccessible to the general public,” the sheriff’s office stated on Monday. “It is still accessible to disaster response teams, public safety personnel, and residents with proper identification.”

Members of the California National Guard continue to man checkpoints and will request identification, according to the sheriff’s department.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the fire continues to burn on Jan. 8. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tour the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades as the fire continues to burn on Jan. 8. Eric Thayer/Getty Images

At this time, motor homes, trailers, and moving trucks are still prohibited from entering the fire zone, and residents are urged not to remove anything from their properties, including debris.

Fire crews are making progress in suppressing the Eaton Fire, which has resulted in 17 fatalities and the destruction of 9,416 homes and buildings in Altadena and Pasadena, now achieving 87 percent containment.

The Eaton Fire has scorched approximately 14,021 acres, or 21 square miles, as of Monday morning, around 15 miles east of Los Angeles.

Air operations continued to assist ground firefighters by extinguishing hotspots on Monday in the challenging, inaccessible terrain near Winters Creek, Mount Lowe, and Mount Wilson, according to Cal Fire.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed another executive order on Monday aimed at safeguarding communities in Pacific Palisades and Altadena from landslides and flooding as they recover.

“As firefighting efforts continue across Los Angeles County, the state is proactively preparing for the potential damage that winter rainstorms can inflict on burn scars, leading to landslides and flooding,” Newsom communicated in a statement on Sunday. “This order ensures that our emergency response remains focused on the protection of communities, rather than on permits and paperwork.”

Various neighborhoods have also received warnings about potential water contamination as residents began returning home on Monday.

Destruction caused by the Palisades Fire north of Los Angeles on Jan. 9. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) — Destruction caused by the Palisades Fire north of Los Angeles on Jan. 9. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

In the Eaton Fire area, customers of the Kinneloa Irrigation District, Las Flores Water Company, Lincoln Water Company, Pasadena Water and Power, and the Rubio Canon Land and Water Association were issued “do not drink” advisories.

The California Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water has cautioned all clients in those districts against consuming the water.

“Due to the Eaton Fire, water quality may be compromised and is unsafe for public consumption and use until further notice,” the state declared in an alert.

In the Palisades Fire region, residents in the 90270 area code supplied by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts No. 29 in Malibu have also been issued “do not drink” alerts by the state.

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