For Immediate Release: October 2, 2017, 11:40 am
Contact: Thomas Parker, (530) 588-8747
Visit: ButteCounty.net |Facebook | Twitter @County of Butte
Oroville, CA – Starting Tuesday, October 3, 2017, The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will begin removing household hazardous waste from 19 properties burned in the Ponderosa Fire and six properties burned in the Wall Fire. DTSC Teams from the State will be in the field with Butte County Environmental Health. The teams will visit burned properties to identify and remove household hazardous waste at no charge to the property owner.
Property owners from both fires who want to participate in the free program can still sign a right-of-entry form to grant the State access to remove household hazardous waste. Residents are encouraged to get the form turned in this week, while clean-up teams are in the affected area. Property owners should call Brenda Rightmyer with the Yankee Hill Fire Safe Council to get the right form and connect with the State teams. Brenda can be reached at, (530) 370-5302.
Removing household hazardous waste from burned home sites is an important step after a fire. Ash, charred debris, and other contaminated materials can be detrimental to health and may be hazardous waste. Once DTSC has completed household hazardous waste removal, they will provide certification to the property owner showing household hazardous waste has been properly identified and removed so they can safely begin cleaning up the remaining fire debris.
Property owners who do not participate in the program provided by the State must hire a hazardous waste specialist to identify and remove household hazardous waste from burned structures. The Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility will only accept fire debris from properties with a certificate showing household hazardous waste has been properly removed.