News Releases from Region 09

EPA News Advisory: Northern California Wildfire Response Update - 10/25/17

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in coordination with representatives from Sonoma and Napa counties, today will begin surveys to identify household hazardous waste (HHW) on residential properties in the neighborhoods of Coffey Park (Santa Rosa) and Soda Canyon and Silverado (Napa).

Specifically, EPA teams will conduct air monitoring and visual observations to identify locations of HHW and other hazardous materials and containers. Once properties are surveyed, HHW collection teams in coming weeks will remove the materials identified during the survey. EPA will continue to expand survey and collection operations over the next few weeks.

HHW includes leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic.  Products such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special handling and disposal.

These efforts will reduce potential threats to public health and safety and allow safe removal of solid waste, debris and ash in the fire-affected areas. EPA will continue to work with cities and counties to keep communities informed about the status of the agency’s HHW collection activities.

EPA has been tasked with a FEMA mission assignment to assess, collect and dispose of HHW, as well hazardous drums and containers, in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Background

Multiple wildfires began burning on October 8 in Napa and Sonoma Counties. EPA is coordinating with federal, state and local agencies, including FEMA and the California Environmental Protection Agency, on response operations. 

Learn more at: response.epa.gov/northern-california-wildfires

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